Ruleside
Law 12: Fouls and MisconductDelaying the restart of play to show a card·Page 120, 2026/27 edition

Delaying the restart of play to show a card

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

Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, play must not be restarted until the sanction has been administered, unless the non-offending team takes a quick free kick, has a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the referee has not started the disciplinary sanction procedure. The sanction is administered at the next stoppage; if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the player is cautioned; if the offence interfered with or stopped a promising attack, the player is not cautioned.

IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 120 · clause law-12-db05d9b0

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