Yellow Card in Football: Rules of Application and Meaning

What is a yellow card and what does it mean

During the game, the referee gives various signals to the players, and the yellow card is one of them. The sign, when the referee shows the player this prop, means a warning for breaking the rules. Moreover, this sanction is the last one permissible for the player, since if he repeats the offense, he risks leaving the field.

Also, the demonstration of a yellow card serves as a call for the one who received it to behave more carefully and attentively. Before receiving a “mustard”, a player could have committed one or several not very serious violations, which the referee forgave him or simply did not record, or summed up in his head. After receiving a card, a football player can adjust his behavior on the field.

A yellow card can be shown at any time during the game: from the moment the referee enters the field, both in regular and extra time, during the break between halves and even after the final whistle. Moreover, not only players on the field can be punished, but also substitutes and members of the coaching staff.

When did yellow cards appear and how did they change?

The idea of ​​issuing a warning by showing a yellow card belongs to the English football referee Ken Aston. It was he who came up with the idea of ​​showing yellow and red cards to violators in the 1960s. In this unusual way, the referee overcame the language barrier that often arose on the field between players of different nationalities.

Aston was inspired by the regular traffic light – its yellow warning signal and red prohibition signal – as a sign of removal from the field. The system was first tested in the 1970s. This innovation appeared in parallel with color broadcasts and only benefited from it. In the 50 years since their introduction, the cards themselves have not changed much. However, various innovations are introduced into the system of application from time to time.

What are yellow cards given for?

Receiving a yellow card means that a player is being warned for some actions. At the same time, the main referee of the match may well forgive some violation, issuing a yellow card only if the incident is repeated. Of course, the rules drawn up by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) spell out specific criteria. However, the decision is made by the referee, who has the right to impose disciplinary measures from the moment he enters the playing field.

In this case, not only the footballer directly participating in the game can receive a warning, but also other team representatives on the bench, including club officials, coaches, etc. Players – both the main squad and the reserve – are issued warnings if they:

• prevent the resumption of the game (delay of the match);
• express disagreement through word or action;
• enter, re-enter or intentionally leave the playing field without the referee’s permission;
• fail to keep the required distance when restarting play from a dropped ball, corner kick, free kick or throw-in;
• allow constant violations (there is no specific number; the nature of the violations is also not regulated);
• allow unsportsmanlike behavior;
• move into the referee’s field of view during VAR review;
• attempt to deceive the referee, for example by simulating a violation or injury;
• change places with the goalkeeper during the game or without the referee’s permission;
• commit a careless violation of the rules when executing a direct penalty kick;
• attempt to prevent or stop a promising attack;
• commit any other offence which prevents or stops a promising attack, except when the referee awards a penalty for a foul which involved an attempt to play the ball or contesting it;
• make unauthorized marks on the playing field;
• play the ball, leaving the playing field after receiving permission to leave it;
• show disrespect for the game;
• verbally distract an opponent during a game or when the game is resumed;
• excessively celebrate a goal, which results in a significant loss of time.

Officials may also be penalized for certain actions. If the offender cannot be identified, the sanction will be imposed on the head coach of the team present in the technical area. Club representatives may be penalized for:

• Entering the playing field in a respectful/non-confrontational manner;
• failure to cooperate with a match official (e.g. ignoring a request from an assistant referee);
• disagreement (in word or action) with a judge’s decision;
• going beyond the technical zone or obvious/persistent non-observance of its boundaries;
• delaying the resumption of play by your team;
• deliberate penetration into the opponent’s technical area;
• throwing/kicking bottles or other objects;
• actions that demonstrate obvious disrespect for a match official (e.g. sarcastic clapping);
• entering the referee’s viewing area (RRA);
• excessive/persistent gesticulation;
• excessive display of the “TV signal” for VAR checking;
• acting in a provocative or inflammatory manner;
• persistent unacceptable behavior (including repeated warnings for breaking rules);
• showing disrespect for the game.

The criteria prescribed in the rules are actively used by referees in practice. However, sometimes situations that arise during the game are controversial. And not so much from the point of view of the rules, but from the moral component. Thus, the incident with the yellow card shown to Alexander Sobolev for celebrating a goal was discussed quite loudly in the football community.

The forward, who was playing for Spartak at the time, scored against Sochi on August 9, 2020. Sobolev celebrated the goal by wearing a T-shirt with a photo of his deceased mother, who had passed away a few days before the game. For this, the referee of the match, Vasily Kazartsev, punished the player with a yellow card and was criticized for the decision.

The opposite situation also happens: in October 2022, referee Artem Lyubimov did not penalize Orenburg striker Vladimir Sychev for delaying time after scoring a goal, because the player proposed to his beloved. Thus, referees certainly use a set of criteria to make decisions, but they do so at their own discretion, even if the rule was broken.

“It is our duty to protect the image of football. We must set a good example for the boys and girls who love the game. We want our referees to be reliable and take action,” said UEFA’s head of referees Roberto Rosetti.

Consequences of receiving yellow cards

A warning received by a player immediately entails consequences. During the match, if a player is punished with a yellow card again, the offender will be forced to leave the field and will receive an automatic disqualification for the next match. In addition, depending on the tournament, receiving a yellow card by a football player affects his further performance during the season.

According to the RFU disciplinary regulations, every four warnings entail automatic disqualification for the next match in the RPL and every two in different matches of the Russian Cup. At major national team tournaments – the World and European Championships – a footballer misses the game after receiving two warnings in different matches, and before the semi-final all cards are reset.

In European Cup tournaments, the scheme is as follows: players and team officials are suspended from participating in the next competitive match after three warnings (which did not result in a red card), as well as after any subsequent warning with an odd number (fifth, seventh, etc.). Single warnings are carried over to the next stage. At the quarter-final stage, all previously received cards are lost and are not taken into account in the semi-finals.

In rare cases, the number of yellow cards received by team players can affect the tournament standings. According to the regulations of the Russian Cup – 2024/2025, in the event of a tie between teams, there is a set of criteria for determining places. One of them is the card coefficient, which is calculated based on the number of warnings for players and officials.

Criticism and advantages of yellow cards

Like any rule that has exceptions, the use of yellow cards has been the subject of much debate in the football community. There are certainly many advantages to this system for teams, their players and the future of the tournament.

1. Reducing the number of injuries. A timely warning to a player about aggressive behavior or rough play can prevent serious injuries to opponents.
2. The ability to change the situation. In cases where a footballer receives a warning and is then “hanging” on the card, the coaching staff can resort to substitution or talking to the player so that he changes his behavior and does not receive a second warning or even a direct removal.
3. Fair Play: If players commit violations, a warning can force them to follow the rules to avoid being sent off.
4. Game control. The referee issuing warnings to players gives him the opportunity to control the game.
5. Psychological trick. Players can easily force the opponent to get a warning and thus create pressure on him. After receiving a yellow card, a footballer essentially has no right to make a mistake, since in case of a repeated violation he can be sent off.

A rare case with a yellow card:

Among the shortcomings of the system, the referee factor most often emerges in practice. The decision on punishment (or lack thereof) is made by the head referee. This creates grounds for discussion, because some of the criteria for giving a yellow card imply subjectivity. But this system has other shortcomings.

1. The referee factor. The chief referee makes the final decision and, in addition to the rules, may well be guided by moral principles (or refuse this and follow the regulations).
2. Reduced efficiency. Receiving a warning makes players more cautious, take fewer risks, which reduces the number of scoring opportunities and goals.
3. Possibility of manipulation. Often in football there are provocations from players, which entail violations of the rules and issuing warnings. All this creates grounds for manipulation, which does not have a very good effect on the quality of the game.
4. Consequences in the game. The first warning received is essentially preliminary. But the second punishment can greatly change the course of the game and give the opponent a numerical advantage. If a staff member or even the head coach receives a punishment, the situation is no less serious – the team may be left without a leader and tips.
5. Tournament consequences. Each warning received can affect the player’s further performance in the tournament and, in the case of an excess of cards, can result in disqualification. Thus, football players risk missing the most important games of the season.

The number of controversial moments has been reduced thanks to the introduction of the VAR system. Now, thanks to video replays, referees can review a game moment and correct their mistake or make sure that the decision was correct. UEFA Refereeing Director Roberto Rosetti believes that the system works well and helps referees.

“VAR is now part of football. We cannot imagine playing at the highest level without VAR. The system works very well in terms of accuracy and speed of decision-making. Offside is no longer a problem for us,” Rosetti said.

The Meaning of Yellow Cards in Football

As with any rule, there have always been and will always be exceptions and controversial moments in the yellow card system. Thanks to the introduction of VAR, some errors are actually corrected during the game. But the main thing is that this rule gives the opportunity to control the situation to all participants in the match: referees, players, and even the coaching staff.

The system exists not only in football, but also in other sports. This shows that issuing warnings during matches is really important and necessary. Moreover, the idea itself is simple and understandable for everyone.

“We all work well together, including with UEFA member associations. We want to see a situation where decisions are consistent and uniform everywhere. Our clear goal is for everyone to speak the same technical language,” added UEFA Refereeing Director Rosetti.