Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct1. Direct free kick·Page 115, 2026/27 edition

1. Direct free kick

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

If an offence involves contact, it is penalised by a direct free kick.
· Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 115 · clause law-12-7e960c37

Explained in the rules library 9

The plain-language pages that build on this provision.

Elbow Use in Challenges
Fair Shoulder Charge
What Is a Foul, and What Does It Cost?
Fouls on the Goalkeeper
High Foot & Scissor Kick
Jumping at an Opponent
Pushing an Opponent
Red Card & Serious Foul Play
Tripping an Opponent

Questions that ask it 1

Points in a walk where the reader is deciding this provision.

Did the player use excessive force, or endanger the safety of the opponent?foul-sanction

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.