Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct4. Disciplinary action·Page 120, 2026/27 edition

4. Disciplinary action

The provision as it is printed, and everything on Ruleside that turns on it.

If, before entering the field of play at the start of the match, a player or team official commits a sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player or team official taking part in the match (see Law 3.6); the referee will report any other misconduct.
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 120 · clause law-12-4a1e0162

Verdicts that turn on it 1

Walk the tree to any of these and this clause is part of the answer.

From the pre-match inspection until the referee leaves the field after the matchteam-officials

The Laws of the Game are published by The IFAB and quoted here for the purpose of explaining the decisions on this site. Ruleside is not affiliated with The IFAB or FIFA. Every clause of Fouls and Misconduct that Ruleside cites.