If you’ve ever watched a soccer match, you’ve almost certainly seen a referee award a yellow or red card during the game.
But what do the cards represent? And how are they different from one another? Let’s find out.
What is the difference between a yellow and red card in soccer?
When the referee shows you a yellow card in soccer, it serves as a caution. When you’re shown a red card, you’re required to leave the field of play. Usually, you receive a yellow card because your action or behavior is relatively serious, and the referee is trying to warn you to calm down. A red card is shown when you have gone too far and endangered an opponent. We take a look at some of the differences between each card below.
What is a yellow card?
A yellow card in soccer is also known as a caution or a booking. When you commit a foul or take action on the field that is deemed to be worthy of a caution, the referee will show you a yellow card.
The referee follows the laws of the game when officiating the match, and if he or she deems that you have infringed those laws and committed an offense, they are required to show you a yellow card.
Once you receive a yellow card in soccer, you need to be careful. If you receive a second yellow card in the same match, you will automatically be sent from the field. After all, two yellows in soccer equal a red!
What is a red card?
A red card in soccer is also known as a sending-off. When you commit an offense that the referee deems to endanger your opponent, you will be sent off and can take no further part in the match.
If you commit two caution-able offenses and are shown two yellow cards, the referee is then automatically required to show you a red card, too.
Sometimes, players simply mistime tackles that result in red cards, but other times, they may deliberately try and injure an opponent or disrupt the game, which will lead to them getting sent off.
Who decides on what is a yellow and red card?
Whether or not to award a yellow or red card is at the discretion of the referee. However, the laws of the game stipulate what is (and what isn’t) a yellow and red card offense, and the referee is simply enforcing those laws. He or she cannot decide to award a yellow or red card just because they feel like it!
For instance, a simple foul where no intent was meant by the player is just a foul and nothing more. The referee is only required to show cards if the player has committed one of the offenses as outlined in the laws of the game, as we explain below.
What gets you a yellow or red card in soccer?
Contrary to what people watching on TV might think, there are only specific actions that will lead to the referee issuing a yellow or red card. Here’s what you need to know:
| Yellow Card Offenses | Red Card Offenses |
| Delaying the restart of play | Denying the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by handball |
| Dissent by word or action | Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity by a foul (outside the box) |
| Entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission | Serious foul play |
| Failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted | Biting or spitting at someone |
| Persistent offending (multiple fouls) | Violent conduct |
| Unsporting behavior (includes fouls, simulation, handball, etc.) | Using offensive, insulting, or abusive actions or language |
| Entering the referee review area | Receiving a second caution in the same match |
| Excessive goal celebrations | Entering the video operation room |
The above laws are applicable to all levels of the game of soccer and are the reasons why a referee is required to award a yellow or red card to a player.
If you are guilty of any of the above offenses when you’re playing soccer, expect to be shown a card by the referee!
Are there sin-bins in soccer?
No, there are no sin-bins in soccer, although it is something that the authorities have spoken at length about introducing at various levels of the game.
While sin-bins work well in other popular sports, the soccer equivalent is a yellow card (or caution), and the player isn’t required to leave the field of play when they are cautioned.
A soccer player only needs to leave the field if they’re shown a red card, and in this case, they’re not allowed to return to the field.
Do cards count towards your next game in soccer?
If you’re shown a yellow card in soccer, it will be recorded against your name for the rest of the season. Although every competition has different rules, if you pick up too many yellow cards (usually five or more), you will receive a one-match ban. You will also be fined by the Soccer Association.
As for red cards, some offenses carry a one-match ban, while others carry a three-match ban. As such, you need to try and avoid getting sent off as you can cost your team going forwards as well as in the current ninety minutes!
However, it’s important to note that although you won’t be allowed to play the next game following a red card, your team can field eleven players and don’t need to start with a player short as a result of your suspension.
The verdict: The difference between yellow and red cards in soccer
The key takeaway is that a yellow card is shown as a caution, while a red card is shown to order you from the field of play.
As you can see from above, there are specific offenses you can commit in soccer that are worthy of yellow and red cards, so you will need to be aware of the differences.
Receiving too many yellow and red cards is a sign of indiscipline in your team and won’t serve you well for the rest of the season.
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