Direct and indirect free kicks and penalty kicks can only be awarded for offences committed when the ball is in play.
","lawSectionCategoryName":"Introduction","sectionIndex":null,"images":[]},{"lawSectionCategoryId":173,"lawSectionCategorySortOrder":1,"slug":"direct-free-kick","content":"A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
\r\ncharges
jumps at
kicks or attempts to kick
pushes
strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt)
tackles or challenges
trips or attempts to trip
If an offence involves contact, it is penalised by a direct free kick.
\r\nCareless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed
Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned
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
A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences:
\r\na handball offence (except for the goalkeeper within their penalty area)
holds an opponent
impedes an opponent with contact
bites or spits at someone on the team lists or a match official
throws an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official, or makes contact with the ball with a held object
See also offences in Law 3.
\r\nFor the purposes of determining handball offences, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit. Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence.
\r\nIt is an offence if a player:
\r\ndeliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball
touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised
scores in the opponents’ goal:
\r\ndirectly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper
immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental
The goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as any other player outside the penalty area. If the goalkeeper handles the ball inside their penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction. However, if the offence is playing the ball a second time (with or without the hand/arm) after a restart before it touches another player, the goalkeeper must be sanctioned if the offence stops a promising attack or denies an opponent or the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
\r\n\r\n
An indirect free kick is awarded if a player:
plays in a dangerous manner
impedes the progress of an opponent without any contact being made
is guilty of dissent, using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s) or other verbal offences
prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it
initiates a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed (including from a free kick or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands; the goalkeeper is penalised if responsible for initiating the deliberate trick
commits any other offence, not mentioned in the Laws, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player
An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, commits any of the following offences:
touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player
touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.
A scissors or bicycle kick is permissible provided that it is not dangerous to an opponent.
Impeding the progress of an opponent means moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.
All players have a right to their position on the field of play; being in the way of an opponent is not the same as moving into the way of an opponent.
A player may shield the ball by taking a position between an opponent and the ball if the ball is within playing distance and the opponent is not held off with the arms or body. If the ball is within playing distance, the player may be fairly charged by an opponent.
","lawSectionCategoryName":"Indirect free kick","sectionIndex":"2","images":[]},{"lawSectionCategoryId":175,"lawSectionCategorySortOrder":3,"slug":"corner-kick","content":"The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match ends (including penalties (penalty shoot-out)).
\nIf, 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.
\nA player or team official who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on or off the field of play is disciplined according to the offence.
\nThe yellow card communicates a caution and the red card communicates a sending-off.
\nOnly a player, substitute, substituted player or team official may be shown the red or yellow card.
\nOnce 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.
\nIf the referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution/sending-off would have been issued had play been stopped, this caution/sending-off must be issued when the ball is next out of play. However, if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour; if the offence was interfering with or stopping a promising attack, the player is not cautioned.
\nAdvantage should not be applied in situations involving serious foul play, violent conduct or a second cautionable offence unless there is a clear opportunity to score a goal. The referee must send off the player when the ball is next out of play, but if the player plays the ball or challenges/interferes with an opponent, the referee will stop play, send off the player and restart with an indirect free kick, unless the player committed a more serious offence.
\nIf a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.
\nA player is cautioned if guilty of:
\ndelaying the restart of play
dissent by word or action
entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a dropped ball, corner kick, free kick or throw-in
persistent offences (no specific number or pattern of offences constitutes ‘persistent’)
unsporting behaviour
entering the referee review area (RRA)
excessively using the ‘review’ (TV screen) signal
A substitute or substituted player is cautioned if guilty of:
\ndelaying the restart of play
dissent by word or action
entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
unsporting behaviour
entering the referee review area (RRA)
excessively using the ‘review’ (TV screen) signal
Where two separate cautionable offences are committed (even in close proximity), they should result in two cautions, for example if a player enters the field of play without the required permission and commits a reckless tackle or stops a promising attack with a foul/handball, etc.
\nThere are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player:
\nattempts to deceive the referee, e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)
changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission (see Law 3)
commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence
handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack, except where the referee awards a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence
denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence
commits any other offence which interferes with or stops a promising attack, except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball
denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing an offence which was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick
handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal
makes unauthorised marks on the field of play
plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave
shows a lack of respect for the game
initiates a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed (including from a free kick or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands; the goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for initiating the deliberate trick
verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart
Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting.
\nLeaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible.
\nA player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:
\nclimbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues
acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item
removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt
Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by:
\nappearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to a team-mate to take
delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted
excessively delaying a restart
kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play
taking a free kick from the wrong position to force a retake
A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:
\ndenying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a deliberate handball offence (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)
denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a non-deliberate handball offence outside their own penalty area
denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick (unless as outlined below)
serious foul play
biting or spitting at someone
violent conduct
using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s)
receiving a second caution in the same match
entering the video operation room (VOR)
A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.
\nWhere a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.), the offending player must be sent off.
\nWhere a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a deliberate handball offence, the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area).
\nWhere a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a non-deliberate handball offence and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned.
\nA player, sent-off player, substitute or substituted player who enters the field of play without the required referee’s permission and interferes with play or an opponent and denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is guilty of a sending-off offence.
\nThe following must be considered:
\ndistance between the offence and the goal
general direction of the play
likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
location and number of defenders
A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
\nAny player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.
\nViolent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.
\nIn addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.
\nWhere an offence is committed by someone from the technical area (substitute, substituted player, sent-off player or team official) and the offender cannot be identified, the senior team coach present in the technical area will receive the sanction.
\nThe following offences should usually result in a warning; repeated or blatant offences should result in a caution or sending-off:
\nentering the field of play in a respectful/non-confrontational manner
failing to cooperate with a match official e.g. ignoring an instruction/request from an assistant referee or the fourth official
minor/low-level disagreement (by word or action) with a decision
occasionally leaving the confines of the technical area without committing another offence
Caution offences include (but are not limited to):
\nclearly/persistently not respecting the confines of their team’s technical area
delaying the restart of play by their team
deliberately entering the technical area of the opposing team (non-confrontational)
dissent by word or action including:
\nthrowing/kicking drinks bottles or other objects
action(s) which show(s) a clear lack of respect for the match official(s) e.g. sarcastic clapping
entering the referee review area (RRA)
excessively/persistently gesturing for a red or yellow card
excessively showing the ‘TV signal’ for a VAR ‘review’
acting in a provocative or inflammatory manner
persistent unacceptable behaviour (including repeated warning offences)
showing a lack of respect for the game
Sending-off offences include (but are not limited to):
\ndelaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g. holding onto the ball, kicking the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player
deliberately leaving the technical area to:
\nshow dissent towards, or remonstrate with, a match official
act in a provocative or inflammatory manner
entering the opposing technical area in an aggressive or confrontational manner
deliberately throwing/kicking an object onto the field of play
entering the field of play to:
\nconfront a match official (including at half-time and full-time)
interfere with play, an opposing player or a match official
entering the video operation room (VOR)
physical or aggressive behaviour (including spitting or biting) towards an opposing player, substitute, team official, match official, spectator or any other person (e.g. ball boy/girl, security or competition official etc.)
receiving a second caution in the same match
using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s)
using unauthorised electronic or communication equipment and/or behaving in an inappropriate manner as a result of using electronic or communication equipment
violent conduct
In all cases, the referee takes the appropriate disciplinary action:
\nreckless – caution the offender for unsporting behaviour
using excessive force – send off the offender for violent conduct
If the ball is out of play, play is restarted according to the previous decision. If the ball is in play and a player commits a physical offence inside the field of play against:
\nan opponent – an indirect or direct free kick or penalty kick
a team-mate, substitute, substituted or sent-off player, team official or a match official – a direct free kick or penalty kick
All verbal offences are penalised with an indirect free kick.
\nIf the referee stops play for an offence committed by a player, inside or outside the field of play, against an outside agent, play is restarted with a dropped ball, unless an indirect free kick is awarded for leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission; the indirect free kick is taken from the point on the boundary line where the player left the field of play.
\nIf, when the ball is in play:
\na player commits an offence against a match official or an opposing player, substitute, substituted or sent-off player, or team official outside the field of play or
a substitute, substituted or sent-off player, or team official commits an offence against, or interferes with, an opposing player or a match official outside the field of play,
play is restarted with a free kick on the boundary line nearest to where the offence/interference occurred; for direct free kick offences, a penalty kick is awarded if this is within the offender’s penalty area.
\nIf an offence is committed outside the field of play by a player against a player, substitute, substituted player or team official of their own team, play is restarted with an indirect free kick on the boundary line closest to where the offence occurred.
\nIf a player makes contact with the ball with an object (boot, shinguard etc.) held in the hand, play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick).
\nIf a player who is on or off the field of play throws or kicks an object (other than the match ball) at an opposing player, or throws or kicks an object (including a ball) at an opposing substitute, substituted or sent-off player, team official, or a match official or the match ball, play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position where the object struck or would have struck the person or the ball. If this position is off the field of play, the free kick is taken on the nearest point on the boundary line; a penalty kick is awarded if this is within the offender’s penalty area.
\nIf a substitute, substituted or sent-off player, player temporarily off the field of play or team official throws or kicks an object onto the field of play and it interferes with play, an opponent or match official, play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick) where the object interfered with play or struck or would have struck the opponent, match official or the ball.
","lawSectionCategoryName":"Restart of play after fouls and misconduct","sectionIndex":"5","images":[]}],"mobileHeader":null,"desktopHeader":null,"seo":{"title":"Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct","description":"Football foul rules, handball football rules, types of fouls in football"}},"title":"Fouls and Misconduct","chapterIndex":12,"nextChapterPath":"/laws/2025-26/free-kicks","previousChapterPath":"/laws/2025-26/offside","canonicalUrl":"https://www.theifab.com/laws/latest/fouls-and-misconduct/","isBasicLaw":true,"questionsAndAnswers":[{"id":3171,"publishDate":"2026-05-22T06:55:39Z","createdAt":"2026-04-28T16:24:12Z","question":"An attacker comes very close to the goalkeeper, who has caught the ball inside their penalty area. While the goalkeeper is releasing the ball to pass it with their hands, the attacker jumps in front of the goalkeeper to block the pass (without making contact with the opponent). Immediately after the ball is thrown, it rebounds off the attacker’s head and goes into the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee disallows the goal and awards an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper’s team because the goalkeeper cannot be challenged when in control of the ball with their hands, nor prevented from releasing the ball. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) if they commit this offence persistently (repeatedly), or if it stops or interferes with a promising attack.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":3167,"publishDate":"2026-05-22T06:54:38Z","createdAt":"2026-04-28T15:41:06Z","question":"A defender (Team A) attempts to kick the ball out of the penalty area. The ball deflects off another defender (Team A) and goes to an attacker (Team B), who has been in an offside position since the first defender kicked the ball. The attacker controls the ball and is unfairly challenged (careless tackle) by an opponent inside Team A’s penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"There is no offside offence, as the ball was not played or touched by a team-mate of the attacker. The referee therefore awards a penalty kick to Team B. The careless challenge itself does not warrant a caution, unless it denied the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3168,"publishDate":"2026-05-22T06:51:23Z","createdAt":"2026-04-28T15:52:46Z","question":"A defender takes a throw-in and throws the ball to their goalkeeper (a team-mate). The goalkeeper controls the ball with their foot outside their penalty area and notices that an opposing attacker is running quickly towards the ball, so the goalkeeper dribbles into the penalty area and then picks the ball up with their hands. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards an indirect free kick to the attacker’s team because the goalkeeper is not permitted to handle the ball after receiving it directly from a team-mate’s throw-in. Since the handball offence was committed by the goalkeeper inside their penalty area, there is no disciplinary sanction (no card for stopping a promising attack or denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":3170,"publishDate":"2026-05-22T06:49:30Z","createdAt":"2026-04-28T16:17:47Z","question":"A defender passes the ball under pressure from an attacker, who commits a late, reckless tackle shortly after the ball is played by the defender. The ball remains on the field of play, and the attacker’s team gains possession. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the defender’s team. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour as the tackle was reckless. The fact that the foul occurred after the ball was played by the defender is irrelevant because the ball was still in play at the time of the offence.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":3172,"publishDate":"2026-05-22T06:47:52Z","createdAt":"2026-04-28T17:02:37Z","question":"An attacking player scores in the opponents’ goal after the ball has touched their shoulder. What is the correct decision?","answer":"When judging handball offences, only contact between the ball and the hand or the arm below the bottom of the armpit is considered (as defined in Law 12). The shoulder is not part of the arm for handball. It is therefore a part of the body with which a goal can be legitimately scored, so the goal is awarded, whether the use of the shoulder is deliberate or accidental.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":3139,"publishDate":"2026-04-30T14:25:13Z","createdAt":"2026-04-08T12:37:46Z","question":"A defending team player who is on the field of play, close to the touchline, deliberately handles the ball as it is going past them (with no opponents nearby), preventing it from leaving the field of play. Otherwise, the ball would have gone out for a throw-in to the opposing team. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Any deliberate handball is penalised with a direct free kick; however, no disciplinary sanction is required because the player’s offence did not stop a promising attack or deny the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":3143,"publishDate":"2026-04-17T15:01:11Z","createdAt":"2026-04-08T14:21:04Z","question":"A defender recklessly challenges an attacker for the ball inside the defender’s penalty area and this foul denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the sanction if the referee awards a penalty kick?","answer":"The defender committed two offences listed in Law 12 under ‘Cautions for unsporting behaviour’:
a direct free kick offence committed in a reckless manner
a DOGSO offence which was a challenge for the ball and resulted in a penalty kick
When more than one offence occurs at the same time, the referee punishes the more serious offence. As both offences are punishable with a yellow card, a yellow card is shown for the reckless challenge, as its physical severity is more serious than the ‘tactical’ DOGSO offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3117,"publishDate":"2026-04-17T14:59:21Z","createdAt":"2026-03-10T09:13:47Z","question":"A defender fairly challenges an attacker for the ball, and the referee allows play to continue because no foul has been committed even though the attacker fell to the ground. The attacker then gets up and deliberately stamps on the opponent’s back in the middle of the field. What is the correct decision if the ball is still in play?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to the defender’s team. The attacker’s offence is violent conduct and punished with a sending-off (red card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3118,"publishDate":"2026-04-17T14:58:37Z","createdAt":"2026-03-10T09:33:01Z","question":"An attacker and a defender chase the ball in the middle of the field of play. The attacker kicks the ball past the defender, who fails to touch the ball and commits a late careless tackle which stops a promising attack (SPA). However, another attacker, who was clearly in an offside position when their team-mate kicked the ball, gains possession and runs towards the opponents’ goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee cannot apply the advantage because the attacker who gained the ball was offside when it was kicked. Therefore, the referee stops play, awards a direct free kick for the foul (as it occurred before the offside offence), and cautions (yellow card) the defender for unsporting behaviour (SPA offence).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3116,"publishDate":"2026-03-18T20:49:52Z","createdAt":"2026-03-10T08:46:45Z","question":"After the goalkeeper has caught the ball inside their penalty area, an opposing attacker quickly moves into the goalkeeper’s path and deliberately slows down the start of a potential counter-attack. What is the correct decision if the attacker does not touch the goalkeeper or the ball?","answer":"Unless the advantage can be applied, play is stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick for preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) if their offence is considered by the referee to be persistent (repeated), reckless, or it stops/interferes with a promising attack.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":3115,"publishDate":"2026-03-18T20:49:00Z","createdAt":"2026-03-10T08:08:46Z","question":"A defender recklessly tackles an attacker outside the penalty area and this foul denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision if the advantage is not applied?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick. When two offences are committed at the same time, the more serious offence is punished, so the defender receives a red card for the DOGSO offence rather than a yellow card for the reckless foul.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3076,"publishDate":"2026-03-18T20:47:28Z","createdAt":"2026-02-11T10:49:55Z","question":"While taking a goal kick, a defender attempts to pass the ball to a nearby midfielder but slips and the ball is kicked only a few metres. As an opposing attacker then enters the penalty area and runs towards the ball, the goalkeeper dives and catches it to prevent the opponent from gaining control. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. The goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball inside their penalty area because their team-mate did not deliberately kick the ball to the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":3074,"publishDate":"2026-03-18T20:45:39Z","createdAt":"2026-02-11T08:56:52Z","question":"A defender from Team A stops a promising attack (SPA) by pulling an opponent’s shirt. After the referee whistles to stop play for a free kick to Team B, but before the disciplinary sanction procedure has started, another player from Team A picks up the ball and holds it to prevent the free kick from being taken quickly. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Both players are cautioned (shown a yellow card):
the defender for unsporting behaviour (SPA offence)
their team-mate for delaying the restart of play
Play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position of the pulling offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3077,"publishDate":"2026-03-18T20:43:27Z","createdAt":"2026-02-11T12:26:25Z","question":"A defender starts an argument with an attacker and pushes the opponent outside the penalty area while the ball is in play in the middle of the field. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The referee may stop play and award a direct free kick for the attacker’s team where the pushing offence occurred, even though it was away from the ball and did not have any impact on play. Depending on the force used, the defender is:
cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour – if the offence was reckless
sent off (red card) for violent conduct – if excessive force or brutality was used
The free kick must be retaken by Team A because the referee had already started the disciplinary sanction procedure and distracted the players of Team B, so they could not defend Team A’s attack.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3073,"publishDate":"2026-02-26T13:32:10Z","createdAt":"2026-02-11T08:29:17Z","question":"A player recklessly tackles an opponent while challenging for the ball, which is on the touchline. What is the referee’s decision if contact with the opponent’s leg occurs outside the field of play, but the ball has not left the field?","answer":"The player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour. The reckless tackle was committed off the field of play when the ball was in play, therefore, play is restarted with a direct free kick on the touchline nearest to where the offence occurred.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":3028,"publishDate":"2026-02-12T08:32:57Z","createdAt":"2026-01-13T11:28:47Z","question":"A defender receives the ball from a team-mate, ‘flicks’ it up with their foot and heads it to their goalkeeper, who bends down to pick it up inside their penalty area. However, as no opponent approaches, the goalkeeper dribbles the ball with their feet and then kicks it upfield. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and cautions (yellow card) the defender, as the player responsible for initiating a deliberate trick to circumvent Law 12, which clearly states that this unsporting behaviour is penalised whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team where the trick occurred.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":3027,"publishDate":"2026-02-06T13:54:47Z","createdAt":"2026-01-13T10:00:11Z","question":"While taking a goal kick, the goalkeeper kicks the ball only a few metres. As an opponent then enters the penalty area and runs towards the ball, the goalkeeper kicks the ball again (before it has touched any other player). This second touch prevents the opponent from gaining control of the ball, denying them an obvious goal-scoring opportunity; however, the ball rebounds off the opponent’s leg and goes into the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee applies the advantage and awards a goal. The goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card) but is not sent off because the obvious goal-scoring opportunity was restored.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3033,"publishDate":"2026-01-30T16:24:57Z","createdAt":"2026-01-14T08:58:23Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) and a defender (Team B) are chasing the ball, which was last touched by the attacking team and is about to leave the field of play over the goal line. After the ball has wholly passed over the goal line, the defender recklessly pushes the attacker inside Team B’s penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour. A penalty kick cannot be awarded because the reckless pushing offence occurred when the ball was not in play. Therefore, play is restarted with a goal kick to Team B.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":3007,"publishDate":"2026-01-27T15:59:49Z","createdAt":"2026-01-05T13:53:11Z","question":"An attacking player deliberately uses their hand/arm to control the ball inside the opponents’ penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the opposing team for a deliberate handball offence. A caution (yellow card) is not required, unless the referee judges that the player’s action was an attempt to score.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3004,"publishDate":"2026-01-27T15:58:45Z","createdAt":"2026-01-05T10:11:03Z","question":"A goalkeeper (Team A) leaves the penalty area and carelessly fouls an attacker (Team B), denying the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The referee allows play to continue because another Team B player gains control of the ball and takes a shot. As the ball is heading towards the goal, a defender (Team A) deliberately moves their hand/arm towards the ball and prevents it from entering the goal. What decisions does the referee make?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick to Team B. The defender is sent off (red card) for denying a goal by committing a deliberate handball offence. The goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour but is not sent off because applying advantage restored the obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3009,"publishDate":"2026-01-16T14:53:46Z","createdAt":"2026-01-05T16:45:51Z","question":"A player was cautioned (shown a yellow card, YC) for unsporting behaviour during the first half. During the second half, the same player stops a promising attack (SPA) by pulling an opponent’s shirt. After the referee whistles to stop play for a free kick, but before the disciplinary sanction procedure has started, the offender kicks the ball away to prevent the free kick from being taken quickly. What action does the referee take?","answer":"The player is shown the yellow card only once, for the SPA offence. As this is their second YC in the match, the player is then shown a red card and sent off. The third YC, for the final cautionable offence (delaying the restart of play), is not shown; however, all three offences must be included by the referee in the post-match disciplinary report.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":3026,"publishDate":"2026-01-14T10:55:09Z","createdAt":"2026-01-13T08:59:17Z","question":"A player (Team A) carelessly pushes an opponent (Team B) while the ball is in play. The ball then passes over the touchline, and the Team A player picks it up to take a throw-in; however, the match officials signal that play will be restarted with a direct free kick to Team B. In response, the offending Team A player furiously throws the ball on the ground and waves their arms to show disagreement. What is the referee’s decision if the player has already been cautioned during the match?","answer":"The player is cautioned (yellow card) for a clear act of dissent by action and then sent off (red card), as this is their second caution in the match. Play is restarted with the free kick to Team B.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2997,"publishDate":"2026-01-09T15:38:54Z","createdAt":"2025-12-16T10:28:56Z","question":"A goalkeeper takes a goal kick and plays the ball towards a defender who is inside their penalty area, facing the goalkeeper and unaware of an opposing attacker waiting outside the penalty area. After the ball is kicked and clearly moves, the attacker quickly runs into the penalty area and is about to intercept the ball. The defender then makes a late challenge and carelessly fouls the attacker. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) if the illegal challenge for the ball denied the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Law 16 – The Goal Kick requires opponents to be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play, so the attacker has not committed an offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2995,"publishDate":"2026-01-09T15:32:02Z","createdAt":"2025-12-16T09:04:58Z","question":"A defender controls the ball outside their penalty area under pressure from an opposing attacker. The defender looks at their goalkeeper and deliberately kicks the ball towards them. While kicking the ball, the defender slips on the grass, causing the pass to fall short. The loose ball is then chased by both the attacker and the goalkeeper, and the goalkeeper touches the ball first with their hands inside the penalty area. Is this allowed?","answer":"The goalkeeper is not permitted to handle the ball inside their penalty area after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team-mate, even if the attempted pass is inaccurate or unsuccessful. The referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team. No disciplinary sanction is taken against the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2996,"publishDate":"2026-01-09T15:31:05Z","createdAt":"2025-12-16T09:45:59Z","question":"A player from Team A is carelessly tackled by an opponent from Team B in the middle of the field. The referee allows play to continue because the fouled player quickly gets up and regains possession of the ball; however, another Team B player intervenes and immediately kicks the ball out of play for a throw-in on Team A’s half. What is the decision?","answer":"The referee waited a few seconds to allow a possible advantage to develop. As Team A did not benefit from the decision to continue play, the referee returns to the original offence and awards a direct free kick to Team A from the position where the tackle occurred.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2992,"publishDate":"2026-01-09T15:29:19Z","createdAt":"2025-12-16T07:33:49Z","question":"The referee blows the whistle at the end of the second half of extra time after the ball has gone out of play for a throw-in near Team A’s penalty area. A Team B player angrily approaches the referee and shows clear dissent, complaining that the referee did not allow the throw-in to be taken. What is the decision if the same player has already been shown a yellow card (YC) and the match will be decided by penalties (penalty shoot-out)?","answer":"Law 10 states that penalties are taken after the match has ended (they are not part of the match and therefore begin after the final whistle). Yellow cards are not carried forward into the penalty shoot-out, so a player who received a YC during normal or extra time and then receives a YC for dissent after the final whistle is not sent off. It is considered their first YC in the penalty shoot-out, and the player may take part in the penalties.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2975,"publishDate":"2026-01-09T15:27:30Z","createdAt":"2025-12-01T15:06:42Z","question":"A few minutes before the end of the second half, Team A, which is one goal behind, shoots but the ball goes out for a goal kick. While Team A players are quickly leaving the penalty area, the Team B goalkeeper puts the ball on the ground, waits several seconds, then picks the ball up, moves a few metres, and places the ball on the other side of the goal area. What is the correct decision if the referee reacts before the goal kick is taken?","answer":"If the referee decides this is deliberately delaying the restart, the goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card). The offence does not change how play is restarted.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2976,"publishDate":"2026-01-09T15:26:13Z","createdAt":"2025-12-01T15:09:45Z","question":"An attacker is carelessly tackled by a defender inside the penalty area. The defender’s action stops a promising attack (SPA) because the attacker loses possession of the ball which is then kicked outside the penalty area by another defender. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The defender is not cautioned for the SPA offence, as the foul was part of a challenge for the ball punished with the penalty kick, and the careless tackle itself does not warrant a yellow card.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2974,"publishDate":"2025-12-16T13:40:15Z","createdAt":"2025-12-01T15:01:00Z","question":"While an attacker is running with the ball, a defender grabs the opponent’s shirt and pulls them in a blatant, very unfair manner, causing the attacker to lose balance and the ball. What is the correct decision if allowing play to continue does not benefit the attacking team?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick or penalty kick. Depending on the exact situation, the defender may be cautioned (yellow card) for blatant pulling as unsporting behaviour or for interfering with or stopping a promising attack.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2973,"publishDate":"2025-12-16T13:37:50Z","createdAt":"2025-12-01T14:51:15Z","question":"A goalkeeper jumps for the ball inside their penalty area and catches it without being challenged by any opponent; however, the ball accidentally slips out of the goalkeeper’s hands and falls to the ground at their feet. An attacker runs towards the ball, but the goalkeeper picks it up inside the penalty area before the attacker can reach it. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Provided that the goalkeeper is not fouled, the referee allows play to continue. The unsuccessful attempt to hold the ball is not considered to be releasing the ball, so the goalkeeper may handle the ball a second time before it has touched another player (no indirect free kick offence).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2972,"publishDate":"2025-12-16T13:36:15Z","createdAt":"2025-12-01T14:48:54Z","question":"A defender commits a careless tackle on an opponent outside the penalty area that stops a promising attack. The referee applies advantage, as the ball goes to another attacker who runs into the penalty area and shoots. The ball goes over the crossbar without touching any other player. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Play is restarted with a goal kick. There is no disciplinary sanction for the defender because, by playing the advantage, the promising attack was restored, and the careless tackle itself does not warrant a caution.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2949,"publishDate":"2025-12-16T13:33:44Z","createdAt":"2025-11-04T15:18:46Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) is legally tackled from behind by a midfielder (Team B) and falls to the ground near Team B’s penalty area. The ball then rolls into the penalty area, where it is caught by a Team B defender who assumes a free kick has been awarded, even though the referee has not whistled or signalled to stop play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick for a handball offence because the Team B defender deliberately handled the ball while it was still in play.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2948,"publishDate":"2025-12-01T16:13:39Z","createdAt":"2025-11-04T12:55:09Z","question":"Play is restarted with a dropped ball for Team A. After the ball touches the ground, a Team A player touches it several times with their feet, runs into the opponents’ penalty area, and is recklessly tackled by a Team B defender. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player receiving the dropped ball can dribble or continue playing the ball, with no limit to the number of touches. At the time of the tackle, the ball was in play, so the referee awards a penalty kick. Since the foul was reckless, the defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2927,"publishDate":"2025-12-01T16:10:54Z","createdAt":"2025-10-23T07:31:04Z","question":"When the ball is slowly heading out for a corner kick, an attacking team player picks it up with their hands while it is still on the field of play, close to the goal line. What is the correct decision if no other player has the opportunity to touch the ball before it leaves the field?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to the defending team because the attacking player deliberately handled the ball while it was still in play; the player is not cautioned.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2929,"publishDate":"2025-11-14T13:16:27Z","createdAt":"2025-10-23T09:59:07Z","question":"Team A is leading by one goal a few minutes before the end of the second half. While the ball is in play, a player from Team A uses significant force to deliberately kick the ball over the touchline, despite not being under pressure from any opponent. What is the correct decision?","answer":"A throw-in is awarded to Team B. The Laws of the Game do not identify the player’s behaviour as a yellow card offence, especially as it cannot be considered delaying the restart of play because the ball was in play when it was kicked. However, the referee must make correct allowance for the time lost when determining the amount of additional time.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2930,"publishDate":"2025-11-14T13:14:05Z","createdAt":"2025-10-23T11:24:40Z","question":"A goalkeeper catches the ball inside their penalty area and prepares to make a long kick, while an opposing attacker is a few metres away, walking with their back to the goalkeeper. After the ball is kicked by the goalkeeper, it rebounds off the attacker and goes into the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards the goal because the attacker was not acting in a way to prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball (they had their back to the goalkeeper).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2886,"publishDate":"2025-11-14T13:11:24Z","createdAt":"2025-09-24T07:21:03Z","question":"After the referee awards a free kick against Team A, the captain approaches the referee and shows dissent while the referee is explaining the decision. What action can be taken against the captain?","answer":"Referees’ decisions must always be respected and a team captain can be punished for dissent, just like any other player. Therefore, if a captain fails to interact with the referee in a respectful manner, a caution (yellow card) is issued.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2889,"publishDate":"2025-10-17T11:59:15Z","createdAt":"2025-09-24T09:09:04Z","question":"A goalkeeper catches the ball inside their penalty area and releases it from their hands in an attempt to make a long pass. After the ball is thrown up but before it is kicked by the goalkeeper, an opposing attacker standing nearby extends a leg, kicks the ball, and scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee disallows the goal and awards an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper’s team, as opponents may not play the ball while the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it. The attacker is not cautioned unless the action is reckless or stops/interferes with a promising attack, in which case a yellow card is shown.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2887,"publishDate":"2025-10-07T07:10:06Z","createdAt":"2025-09-24T07:36:49Z","question":"After the first half has ended, the referee sees a player striking an opponent in the tunnel on the way to the dressing rooms. What is the correct procedure?","answer":"The referee has the power to show cards during the half-time interval, even if the offence occurs off the field of play. The player is shown a red card for violent conduct, takes no further part in the match, and cannot be replaced. Since the card is shown off the field, the referee must inform both teams and, where appropriate, ensure an announcement is made to the spectators before the second half begins.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2884,"publishDate":"2025-10-07T07:09:28Z","createdAt":"2025-09-24T07:01:40Z","question":"A goalkeeper catches the ball inside their penalty area and is not challenged by any opponent, so the referee starts the eight-second countdown. What is the correct decision if the goalkeeper is kicking or throwing the ball just as the countdown reaches zero?","answer":"The intention of the Law is to prevent time-wasting. If the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing the ball from their hands as the count ends, this is considered to be within the spirit of the Law, and the referee should allow play to continue.
","sectionOrder":3},{"id":2844,"publishDate":"2025-09-24T13:36:02Z","createdAt":"2025-08-28T12:33:12Z","question":"At a penalty kick, a defending team player shouts loudly at the moment when an attacking team player is about to kick the ball. This unfair interference distracts the kicker and the penalty is missed. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The penalty kick is retaken and the defending player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2842,"publishDate":"2025-09-24T13:35:15Z","createdAt":"2025-08-28T11:28:37Z","question":"The ball leaves the field of play by the touchline and rolls towards a coach who is standing in their technical area. The coach sees the ball coming close but makes no attempt to catch or stop it. Is the coach cautioned (yellow card) for delaying the restart of play if their team is winning at that time?","answer":"Allowing the ball to go past the coach is judged differently from a deliberate action to delay the throw-in. There is no requirement in the Laws of the Game for the coach to stop the ball, so no disciplinary sanction can be taken if they fail to do so.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2841,"publishDate":"2025-09-24T13:33:26Z","createdAt":"2025-08-28T10:28:04Z","question":"After the final whistle has been blown, a player argues with the referee on the field of play and clearly shows dissent verbally, without attempting to touch the referee. What action can be taken against the player?","answer":"The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action until leaving the field of play. Even though the match has ended, an appropriate card may still be shown if it helps manage the situation or calm the player. Verbal dissent is punished with a caution (yellow card), unless the words are offensive, insulting, or abusive (red card). Regardless of whether the card is shown or not, the referee must report the offence to the appropriate authorities.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2840,"publishDate":"2025-09-24T13:31:58Z","createdAt":"2025-08-28T07:44:27Z","question":" A midfielder (Team A) passes the ball with their foot to a defender (Team A), who fails to play the ball while under pressure from an attacker (Team B). The ball then enters Team A’s penalty area and is picked up by the goalkeeper (Team A). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. The goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball because it was not deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2838,"publishDate":"2025-09-03T14:26:38Z","createdAt":"2025-08-28T06:33:48Z","question":"A few minutes before the end of the second half, Team A, which is leading by one goal, is awarded a throw-in. A Team A player slowly walks to the touchline, picks up the ball, and excessively delays taking the throw-in. What is the correct decision if the referee intervenes before the ball is thrown?","answer":"The player is cautioned (yellow card) for delaying the restart of play. Since the ball has not entered the field of play, the thrower’s offence does not change how play is restarted so the throw-in is taken by the same team.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2843,"publishDate":"2025-09-03T14:22:26Z","createdAt":"2025-08-28T11:51:27Z","question":"A goalkeeper holds the ball inside their penalty area for eight seconds, then bounces it several times on the ground and catches it again. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball with the hand(s)/arm(s) while bouncing it, so this bouncing does not stop or reset the eight-second countdown. Since the goalkeeper controlled the ball longer than the time limit, the referee awards a corner kick to the opposing team, taken from the side closest to the goalkeeper’s position when penalised.
","sectionOrder":3},{"id":2797,"publishDate":"2025-09-02T15:12:39Z","createdAt":"2025-07-24T06:59:15Z","question":"The goalkeeper holds the ball with their hands inside their penalty area for no longer than eight seconds and then drops the ball to the ground instead of throwing or kicking it to a team-mate. What is the correct decision if the goalkeeper is clearly wasting time?\n","answer":"Since the goalkeeper released the ball from their hands within the eight-second limit, there is no offence and play continues. The goalkeeper is no longer in control of the ball with their hands, so any opponent can challenge them for the ball. If the goalkeeper touches it with their hand/arm again before it has touched another player, the referee will award an indirect free kick.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2798,"publishDate":"2025-09-02T07:10:32Z","createdAt":"2025-07-24T07:04:30Z","question":"A player is cautioned (shown a yellow card, YC) for unsporting behaviour between the toss of a coin and the kick-off. What is the correct procedure if the same player receives another YC during a match?\n","answer":"The referee has the power to show red and yellow cards from the moment they enter the field at the start of the match. Therefore, a caution (YC) issued between the coin toss and the kick-off is carried into the match, and if they receive a second YC during the match the player is sent off (shown a red card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2781,"publishDate":"2025-09-02T07:09:19Z","createdAt":"2025-07-15T14:09:52Z","question":"A player is substituted and leaves the field of play at the nearest point. While walking along the touchline towards their technical area, the substituted player notices the ball coming towards them, with an opponent chasing it. The substituted player re-enters the field and kicks the ball to stop a promising attack. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick because the substituted player unfairly interfered with play. The offender is sent off (red card) by being shown two yellow cards, one for re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission and another for unsporting behaviour (stopping a promising attack).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2779,"publishDate":"2025-09-02T07:08:10Z","createdAt":"2025-07-15T13:55:16Z","question":"A defending player, who has already been cautioned (yellow card) earlier in the match, stops a promising attack (SPA) by pulling an opponent’s shirt and is penalised with a direct free kick. Before the referee starts the disciplinary sanction procedure, an attacking player quickly takes the free kick and passes the ball to a team-mate who scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goal is awarded because the attacking team had a clear scoring opportunity, and the referee had not yet started the disciplinary sanction procedure. Since the quick free kick restored the previously 'lost' promising attack, the defender does not receive a second caution for the SPA offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2782,"publishDate":"2025-08-05T20:42:51Z","createdAt":"2025-07-15T14:22:15Z","question":"After the ball has gone out of play for a throw-in for Team A, an assistant coach from Team B kicks the ball away to delay the restart of play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The assistant coach is shown a red card and sent from the technical area and surrounds of the field of play. The referee does not award a free kick because the offence occurred while the ball was out of play. Play restarts with a throw-in for Team A.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":2553,"publishDate":"2025-08-05T20:34:53Z","createdAt":"2025-05-07T11:04:42Z","question":"A defender controls the ball with the foot while facing their own goal and then notices an opposing attacker approaching from behind. The defender legally shields the ball from the opponent, and neither player touches the ball until it is picked up by the goalkeeper inside their penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue as this was not a deliberate kick to the goalkeeper.
As the goalkeeper clearly attempted to kick the ball, it was not an offence when they handled the ball afterwards. The referee allows play to continue.
The referee awards a corner kick to the opposing team which is taken from the side closest to the goalkeeper’s position when penalised. No disciplinary action is taken, unless the goalkeeper repeatedly commits the offence (caution, yellow card).
","sectionOrder":3},{"id":2716,"publishDate":"2025-06-12T07:57:00Z","createdAt":"2025-06-12T07:55:49Z","question":"An attacker prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands, causing the goalkeeper to hold the ball for more than eight seconds. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Unless the advantage can be played, the referee stops play and awards the goalkeeper’s team:
a direct free kick – if the attacker touched the goalkeeper
an indirect free kick – if no contact was made
The attacker is not cautioned, unless the referee judges that their offence was reckless or stopped/interfered with a promising attack (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2715,"publishDate":"2025-06-12T07:53:38Z","createdAt":"2025-06-12T07:52:26Z","question":"A goalkeeper easily catches a weak shot and then falls to the ground. The goalkeeper stays there for a few seconds (without being challenged by any opponent) and then stands up to release the ball. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The eight seconds started when the goalkeeper had control of the ball, not when the goalkeeper stood up. If the referee judged that controlling the ball with the hands/arms took longer than the time limit, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
","sectionOrder":3},{"id":2700,"publishDate":"2025-06-11T18:09:20Z","createdAt":"2025-06-11T18:09:02Z","question":"An attacker takes a shot and the ball is heading towards the empty goal. A defender, unable to clear the ball in time, accidentally touches it with their hand/arm inside the penalty area while attempting to block the shot (in doing so, the defender’s hand/arm makes their body unnaturally bigger). The ball then changes direction and goes to another attacker who scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee plays the advantage and awards the goal. If the defender had denied the opposing team a goal and the referee had awarded a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence, the defender would have been cautioned (yellow card). As the advantage was applied, there is no disciplinary sanction for the defender.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2688,"publishDate":"2025-06-11T17:24:32Z","createdAt":"2025-06-11T17:24:10Z","question":"A defender accidentally touches the ball with the hand/arm within their penalty area and stops a promising attack (SPA). The defender does not move the hand/arm towards the ball, however, the hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick for a handball offence (unnatural position of the hand/arm). The defender is not cautioned (no yellow card) for the SPA offence because the handball offence was not deliberate.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2687,"publishDate":"2025-06-11T17:23:58Z","createdAt":"2025-06-11T17:23:40Z","question":"A defender’s hand/arm prevents the ball from going into the goal. The defender did not deliberately handle the ball, but their hand/arm made the defender’s body unnaturally bigger. What is the correct decision if the hand/arm makes contact with the ball inside the defender’s penalty area?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick for a handball offence (unnatural position of the hand/arm). The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for denying the opposing team a goal but is not sent off (no red card) because the handball offence was not deliberate.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2686,"publishDate":"2025-06-11T17:22:37Z","createdAt":"2025-06-11T17:21:59Z","question":"A player commits a handball offence within their penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) and the referee awards a penalty kick. What is the correct sanction? ","answer":"When the referee awards a penalty kick for a handball DOGSO offence, the player is:
cautioned (yellow card) for a non-deliberate handball offence
sent off (red card) for a deliberate handball offence
The player is:
cautioned (yellow card, YC) – if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or challenge for the ball, or a non-deliberate handball
sent off (red card, RC) – in all other circumstances (e.g. deliberate handball, holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball)
A player is cautioned (YC) if they handle the ball:
to interfere with or stop a promising attack (except where the referee awards a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence)
in an attempt to score a goal
in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal
and deny the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence
A player is sent off (RC) if they deny the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing:
a deliberate handball offence (wherever the offence occurs)
a non-deliberate handball offence outside their own penalty area
The referee awards a direct free kick (or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the defender’s penalty area) and cautions the defender (yellow card). The fact that the reckless tackle occurred after the shot was taken is irrelevant because the ball was still in play at the time of the offence.
The defender who took the free kick cannot touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. The referee awards an indirect free kick to the attacker’s team and takes the appropriate disciplinary sanction:
caution (yellow card) – if the second touch stopped a promising attack
sending-off (red card) – if it denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
The referee allows play to continue. A goalkeeper is not considered to be in control of the ball with their hand(s) if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save, so they may handle the ball a second time without committing an offence.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2488,"publishDate":"2025-04-25T12:45:15Z","createdAt":"2025-03-19T11:53:22Z","question":"While a player from Team A is preparing to take a free kick, an opponent from Team B moves forward and is less than 9.15 m from the ball when the kick is taken. The pass from the kicker is not intercepted by the opponent, and the ball reaches another Team A player who gains control of it without being under pressure from any Team B players. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee applies advantage if allowing play to continue benefits Team A more than retaking the free kick. Depending on the exact circumstances, the referee may decide to caution (yellow card) or warn the offending Team B player when the ball is next out of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2490,"publishDate":"2025-04-25T12:43:30Z","createdAt":"2025-03-19T12:11:47Z","question":"A player deliberately steps with some force on an opponent’s foot. This action is not part of a challenge for the ball, as the ball is in play on the opposite side of the field. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick or penalty kick, depending on where the offence occurred. The offending player is:
sent off (red card) for violent conduct if excessive force or brutality was used; or
cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour in other cases.
An attempt to deceive the referee by simulating a foul results in a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour. Since the Team A player has already been cautioned, they are shown a second yellow card, followed by a red card, and sent off. If the referee stopped play for this simulation, play restarts with an indirect free kick awarded to Team B at the location of the offence.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2493,"publishDate":"2025-04-10T08:31:30Z","createdAt":"2025-03-19T15:02:16Z","question":"After the first half has ended, a player argues with the referee, verbally protesting against a referee’s decision made earlier in the match. This occurs while both the player and referee are outside the field of play, heading towards the tunnel. What is the correct procedure in this situation?","answer":"According to Law 5, the referee has the power to show cards during the half-time interval. Therefore, the player must be cautioned (yellow card) for dissent. If the card is shown off the field of play, the referee must inform both teams and, where appropriate, ensure that an announcement is made to spectators before the second half begins.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2487,"publishDate":"2025-04-10T08:29:34Z","createdAt":"2025-03-19T11:41:28Z","question":"A defender recklessly tackles an attacker. The referee applies advantage because the attacker quickly gets up and continues running with the ball. The defender then chases the attacker, pulls their shirt and thus stops a promising attack (SPA) outside the penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick from the position of the shirt-pulling offence. Since two separate cautionable offences have occurred, even though close together, the defender must receive two cautions: one for the reckless challenge and another for SPA. The defender is therefore shown two yellow cards, followed by a red card, and is sent off.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2468,"publishDate":"2025-03-19T15:22:26Z","createdAt":"2025-02-24T11:51:56Z","question":"A defender deliberately handles the ball inside their penalty area while competing with an attacker for possession. At this moment, several players from both teams are inside the penalty area, meaning the handball does not deny the attacking team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity or stop a promising attack. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Any deliberate handball by a defending team player inside their penalty area is penalised with a penalty kick. No disciplinary sanction is required as there was no DOGSO nor stopping a promising attack.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2467,"publishDate":"2025-03-19T15:20:42Z","createdAt":"2025-02-24T11:49:14Z","question":"A defender approaches an attacker to block their shot on goal. While attempting to do so, the defender moves their left hand/arm towards their body to avoid handling the ball. Despite this, the ball touches the hand/arm, which is placed on the defender’s chest, and then goes out over the goal line without touching any other player (no goal is scored). What is the correct decision?","answer":"This is not a handball offence because the defender did not deliberately handle the ball, and their left hand/arm was close to the body, not making it unnaturally bigger. Play is restarted with a corner kick.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2466,"publishDate":"2025-03-19T15:18:02Z","createdAt":"2025-02-24T11:44:14Z","question":"A defender from Team A recklessly tackles an opponent near the touchline and thus stops a promising attack by Team B. The referee stops play because there is no advantage for Team B. What is the correct restart of play and disciplinary sanction?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to Team B and cautions the defender for the reckless challenge. When two offences are committed at the same time, only one yellow card is shown, as the referee punishes the more serious offence. In this case, the physical, reckless foul is more serious than the tactical offence of stopping a promising attack.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2447,"publishDate":"2025-02-28T18:45:11Z","createdAt":"2025-02-06T14:47:01Z","question":"A defender takes a throw-in and throws the ball towards their own goalkeeper. An attacker chases after the ball to intercept the pass, but the goalkeeper also runs to the ball, extends their arms, and handles the ball inside the penalty area before the attacker. What is the correct decision if the ball was moving towards the goal, the attacker was likely to gain control of the ball, and the goalkeeper was nearer to their goal line than any other defending team player?","answer":"The goalkeeper cannot handle the ball after receiving it directly from a team-mate’s throw-in. In this situation, an indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team, but there is no disciplinary sanction so the referee does not need to judge if the goalkeeper’s handball offence stopped a promising attack or denied a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2449,"publishDate":"2025-02-28T18:43:15Z","createdAt":"2025-02-06T15:02:32Z","question":"A defender (Team A) and an attacker (Team B) challenge for the ball without committing a foul. After the attacker gains possession/control of the ball, the defender deliberately kicks the opponent’s leg with excessive force when the ball is no longer within playing distance. What is the correct decision if the offence occurs outside the penalty area?","answer":"The referee stops play, awards a direct free kick to Team B, and sends off the defender. The red card is for ‘violent conduct’, not ‘serious foul play’, because the offender’s action was not part of a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2446,"publishDate":"2025-02-19T11:33:17Z","createdAt":"2025-02-06T14:27:18Z","question":"A defender deliberately kicks the ball to their goalkeeper who tries to control the pass (no attempt to clear the ball). After the ball rebounds from their foot/leg, the goalkeeper slips on the grass and then catches the ball inside their penalty area, ahead of an approaching opponent. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with their hand/arm after it was deliberately kicked to them by a team-mate, ‘unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play’ which did not happen in this situation. Therefore, play is stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick to the attacking team. There is no disciplinary sanction for the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2448,"publishDate":"2025-02-19T11:31:36Z","createdAt":"2025-02-06T14:50:44Z","question":"Play is restarted with a dropped ball for a Team A player in the middle of the field. After the ball has touched the ground, an opponent (Team B), who was more than 4 m away, quickly runs to the ball and plays it first. Surprised by this action, the Team A player pulls the opponent to stop a promising attack (SPA). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The opponent was allowed to play the ball before the player for whom the ball was dropped because the required distance was respected until the ball touched the ground. From that moment, the ball was in play and any player could play it (no offence by Team B). Consequently, the referee punishes the pulling offence committed by Team A with a direct free kick and a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (SPA).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2430,"publishDate":"2025-02-07T07:50:49Z","createdAt":"2025-01-20T14:08:25Z","question":"A defender carelessly tackles an attacker outside the penalty area. What is the correct decision if this foul denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO)?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the attacking team. Although the tackle was ‘only’ careless, the defender is sent off (red card, RC) because the referee punishes the more serious offence (all DOGSO offences committed outside the offender’s penalty area result in a RC). For DOGSO offences it is the tactical impact that is the determining factor not the (physical) seriousness of the offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2431,"publishDate":"2025-01-29T15:29:29Z","createdAt":"2025-01-20T14:37:42Z","question":"A defender loses possession of the ball under pressure from an attacker (no foul) and then grabs the ball with their hand to stop a promising attack (SPA) outside their penalty area. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to the attacking team and cautions (yellow card) the defender for unsporting behaviour (SPA offence).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2388,"publishDate":"2025-01-21T08:30:34Z","createdAt":"2024-12-16T10:55:39Z","question":"While players from both teams compete for the ball inside the penalty area, it accidentally touches an attacker’s hand/arm and then goes directly into the opponents’ goal. The attacker did not move their hand/arm towards the ball. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Regardless of the position of the hand/arm, this is a handball offence because an attacker cannot score directly into the opponents’ goal with their hand/arm, even if accidental. The referee disallows the goal and awards a direct free kick to the defending team. The attacker is not cautioned (no yellow card) as the handball was accidental and there was no deliberate attempt to score using the hand/arm.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2386,"publishDate":"2025-01-21T08:28:02Z","createdAt":"2024-12-16T10:49:32Z","question":"A defender from Team A endangers the safety of an attacker from Team B while challenging for the ball in the middle of the field. The attacker falls, but their team-mate retains possession of the ball near the touchline, with no clear opportunity to score. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The defender is guilty of ‘serious foul play’ which is a sending-off offence. In this situation, the referee stops play, awards a direct free kick to Team B and shows a red card to the offender. The referee should not apply advantage because Team B does not have a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and the attacker may be seriously injured and require medical attention.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2390,"publishDate":"2025-01-21T08:26:29Z","createdAt":"2024-12-16T11:02:26Z","question":"An attacker takes a shot and is then recklessly tackled by a defender inside the penalty area. Even though the ball is heading towards the goal, the referee blows the whistle immediately after a foul, before the ball enters the goal. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The ball was heading towards the goal, so the referee should have applied advantage. However, as the whistle stopped play before the ball entered the goal, a goal cannot be awarded. In this situation, play is restarted with a penalty kick and the defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (reckless tackle).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2341,"publishDate":"2024-12-30T13:27:41Z","createdAt":"2024-11-07T07:52:26Z","question":"A defender pulls an attacker’s shirt, preventing the opponent from reaching the ball and thereby denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). The contact begins outside the defender’s penalty area and continues into the penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee applies advantage for the offence committed outside the area and awards a penalty kick for the pulling in the penalty area. The defender is sent off (red card) for DOGSO, as the offence was neither an attempt to play nor a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2343,"publishDate":"2024-12-20T09:32:52Z","createdAt":"2024-11-07T08:28:04Z","question":"The referee stops play and awards a penalty kick because a defender recklessly tackles an attacker inside the defender’s penalty area. The attacker is able to continue playing and remains on the field; however, the defender is injured and requires medical attention. What is the correct procedure?","answer":"The referee cautions the defender (yellow card) and requires them to leave the field of play for treatment. The defender may only re-enter after play has restarted and cannot be on the field when the penalty kick is taken.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2304,"publishDate":"2024-12-20T09:29:43Z","createdAt":"2024-10-10T12:12:54Z","question":"A player passes the ball towards an attacker who then tries to get to the ball by running around an opponent. What is the correct decision if the defender moves into the attacker’s path and unfairly blocks the attacker’s movement with their body outside the penalty area?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick for impeding the attacker with contact. In addition, if the offence:
is reckless or stops a promising attack – the defender is cautioned (yellow card)
is using excessive force or denies the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity – the defender is sent off (red card)
The referee instructs Team B to take the free kick from the correct position. The opponent (Team A) is cautioned (yellow card) for delaying the restart of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2344,"publishDate":"2024-12-20T09:27:46Z","createdAt":"2024-11-07T09:00:50Z","question":"A player commits a second cautionable offence in the same match, so the referee shows a second yellow card and a red card to the offender. The player does not agree with the decision and uses offensive language towards the referee. What is the correct procedure? ","answer":"The player is sent off from the field of play and its surroundings. A second red card is not shown but the subsequent (verbal) offence must be included in the post-match report. Any additional sanction/suspension resulting from the offensive language will be decided by the appropriate disciplinary body.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2346,"publishDate":"2024-11-22T13:37:06Z","createdAt":"2024-11-07T09:57:11Z","question":"An attacker commits a late sliding tackle, recklessly fouling a defender near the goal line. The tackle occurs shortly after the defender has kicked the ball and it has already gone out for a corner kick. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for the reckless tackle, even though it occurred after the ball was out of play. However, play is restarted with a corner kick because the referee cannot award a free kick as the ball was outside the field of play at the time of the reckless tackle.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2303,"publishDate":"2024-11-07T12:09:58Z","createdAt":"2024-10-10T12:06:25Z","question":"An attacker is fairly challenged from behind by a defender inside the defender’s penalty area. The challenge is not considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue because the defender did not commit a foul while challenging the opponent for the ball.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2278,"publishDate":"2024-10-18T11:04:20Z","createdAt":"2024-09-24T13:47:50Z","question":"A goalkeeper leaves the penalty area and approaches an attacker who is running towards the goal. The attacker tries to kick the ball past the goalkeeper, but it rebounds off the goalkeeper’s left arm, which is close to their body. What is the correct decision if the referee judges that the arm did not make the goalkeeper’s body unnaturally bigger and the contact with the ball was accidental?","answer":"Not every touch of a player’s hand or arm with the ball is an offence – this also applies to goalkeepers outside their penalty area. In this case, the goalkeeper did not commit a handball offence, so the referee allows play to continue and takes no disciplinary action against the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2052,"publishDate":"2024-10-18T11:01:49Z","createdAt":"2024-04-24T10:23:58Z","question":"A goalkeeper prepares to take a goal kick and places the ball on the ground (but does not touch it afterwards). The ball remains stationary inside the goal area, and a few seconds later, a player from the goalkeeper’s team picks it up with their hands to move it. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is cautioned (yellow card) if the referee considers their behaviour as delaying the restart of play. Handling the ball cannot result in a penalty kick if the ball was not in play; therefore, the game is restarted with a goal kick.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2276,"publishDate":"2024-10-11T07:29:40Z","createdAt":"2024-09-24T13:35:25Z","question":"After a corner kick has been taken, a defender and an attacker accidentally collide in the penalty area and fall over the goal line. Afterwards, the defender pushes the attacker while the ball is still in play. What is the correct decision if this occurs outside the field of play?","answer":"If the nearest point to the offence on the boundary line is:
within the defender’s penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded
outside the penalty area, a direct free kick is awarded
Regardless of the restart decision, the defender receives the appropriate disciplinary sanction:
a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour, or
a sending-off (red card) for violent conduct
The attacker may compete with the goalkeeper for the ball because the goalkeeper is not in control of the ball with their hand(s). If the challenge is not careless, reckless or using excessive force, the referee allows play to continue.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2237,"publishDate":"2024-10-08T08:53:56Z","createdAt":"2024-08-28T10:59:08Z","question":"While the ball is in play, a goalkeeper catches the ball inside their penalty area and then releases it from their hands. As soon as the ball is on the ground, an attacker, who remained on the field of play behind the goalkeeper’s back, runs towards the ball. The goalkeeper then notices the attacker, picks the ball up with their hands inside the penalty area, and prevents the opponent from touching the ball. What is the correct decision if the attacker did not commit a foul while approaching the goalkeeper?","answer":"The goalkeeper cannot handle the ball after releasing it and before it has touched another player, so the referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team. However, there is no disciplinary sanction for the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2236,"publishDate":"2024-10-08T08:53:14Z","createdAt":"2024-08-28T10:40:45Z","question":"A defender pulls the shirt of an attacker inside the penalty area when the ball is in play. It was not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity but it stopped a promising attack (SPA) because the attacker lost possession of the ball. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for SPA because their offence was not an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2234,"publishDate":"2024-10-08T08:50:49Z","createdAt":"2024-08-28T10:26:18Z","question":"A defender shields the ball from an attacker when it is within playing distance and does not use their hands or arms to hold off the opponent. The attacker tries to gain possession of the ball and holds the defender.. After the referee stops play, the defender deliberately strikes the attacker with their hand. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The defender legally shielded the ball from the opponent, so the referee awards a direct free kick to the defender’s team as the holding offence occurred before the striking offence. The attacker may be cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour if the holding was considered blatant/provocative. The defender must be sent off (red card) for violent conduct.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2238,"publishDate":"2024-10-08T08:48:27Z","createdAt":"2024-08-28T11:07:30Z","question":"An attacker runs with the ball towards the opponents’ goal in a one-on-one situation. The goalkeeper runs out of their penalty area and commits a careless tackle, causing the attacker to fall and denying them an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). The referee allows play to continue because the attacker quickly gets up, wins the ball back, and then kicks the ball into the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards the goal. The goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour and not sent off because playing the advantage restored the goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2233,"publishDate":"2024-09-12T07:52:36Z","createdAt":"2024-08-28T10:15:02Z","question":"A defender commits a careless tackle against an attacker which stops a promising attack (SPA) in the centre circle. The attacker goes down and appears to be seriously injured. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play, awards a direct free kick and cautions (yellow card) the defender for the SPA offence. As the injury results from a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned, the attacker may stay on the field of play after the assessment/treatment, provided it is completed quickly.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2208,"publishDate":"2024-08-29T14:22:42Z","createdAt":"2024-08-08T10:18:10Z","question":"A goalkeeper takes a goal kick and makes a long pass to an attacker (team-mate) who is in an offside position. The attacker controls the ball and is then fouled by a defender outside their penalty area (careless tackle which stops a promising attack, SPA). What is the correct decision?","answer":"There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, so the referee penalises the defender’s foul and awards a direct free kick for the attacker’s team. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (SPA offence).
Both players receive appropriate disciplinary sanctions:
Team B player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour
Team A player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (if the ball was thrown in a reckless manner) or sent off (red card) for violent conduct (if the thrower used excessive force)
As the throw-in has been taken and the opponent’s offence happened first, play is restarted with an indirect free kick to Team A from the position where the Team B player was standing.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2134,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T17:47:41Z","createdAt":"2024-06-12T17:45:39Z","question":"A player denies the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a deliberate handball offence. How is play restarted? What is the sanction?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick or a penalty kick if the offence was committed within the offender’s penalty area. The offending player is sent off (red card, RC) wherever the offence occurred.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2133,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T17:40:45Z","createdAt":"2024-06-12T12:07:14Z","question":"A player attempts to play the ball and commits a foul within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. What is the referee’s decision if the advantage cannot be applied?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The player is cautioned (yellow card, YC) because the offence was an attempt to play the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2129,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T17:18:54Z","createdAt":"2024-06-12T11:48:42Z","question":"During a match, before a penalty kick is taken, the defending team goalkeeper approaches the kicker and unfairly distracts them to delay the taking of the kick. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (showing a lack of respect for the game/opponent) or for delaying the restart of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2128,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T17:18:29Z","createdAt":"2024-06-12T11:45:00Z","question":"After the referee has stopped play for a serious foul challenge, there is a mass confrontation on the field between both teams. One player is punched by an opposing player but the referee cannot identify the offender. May the senior team coach receive the sanction for this offence?","answer":"No. The senior team coach can be sanctioned only for an offence committed by an ‘unidentified offender’ who is in/from the technical area (substitute, substituted player, sent-off player or another team official). If an offence is committed by a player who cannot be identified, the incident should be reported to the appropriate authorities after the match.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2127,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T17:17:42Z","createdAt":"2024-06-12T11:40:51Z","question":"A player challenges for the ball in a careless manner and commits a foul within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour and not sent off because the DOGSO offence was a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2126,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T17:16:37Z","createdAt":"2024-06-12T11:37:24Z","question":"A defender holds an attacker inside the defender’s penalty area while the ball is in play. The contact impedes the attacker’s movement and denies the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick and sends off (red card) the defender because their DOGSO offence was neither an attempt to play the ball nor a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1522,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T10:56:51Z","createdAt":"2023-06-13T13:58:11Z","question":"Team A makes a long pass into the opponents’ half. Team B goalkeeper runs out of their penalty area, touches the ball with their feet, dribbles into the penalty area and then picks the ball up. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. This action is not an offence as the goalkeeper touched the ball after it had been played by an opponent.
It would be an offence if the goalkeeper dribbles and then touches the ball with the hand/arm after:
the ball has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
receiving the ball directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the attacking team. The goalkeeper is sent off (red card) for denying the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The offending team must have a new goalkeeper before play is restarted (a substitute or one of the remaining players on the field of play).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1524,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T10:49:41Z","createdAt":"2023-06-14T08:26:09Z","question":"A defender (Team A) deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm outside the penalty area to stop a pass towards an attacker (Team B). The handball offence denies the opponents an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, however, after that, another Team B player gains possession of the ball and runs one-on-one towards the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee plays the advantage and the defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour at the next stoppage in play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2053,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T10:36:28Z","createdAt":"2024-04-24T10:31:20Z","question":"A defender illegally tackles an attacker and denies the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision if the defender’s leg makes contact with the opponent’s body outside the penalty area, but the attacker’s foot is already inside this area? ","answer":"The attacking team is awarded a direct free kick where the defender’s leg made contact with the opponent. DOGSO offences outside the penalty area are punished with a sending-off (red card), even if the foul was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1926,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T10:31:06Z","createdAt":"2024-01-09T15:05:34Z","question":"A defending team player deliberately handles the ball within their penalty area and thus prevents the ball from entering the goal. After that, the ball goes to an attacking team player who scores a goal. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue and awards the goal. As the advantage for the handball offence was applied, the defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (but not sent off for denying the opposing team a goal).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2058,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T10:19:29Z","createdAt":"2024-04-25T07:22:42Z","question":"While challenging an opponent for the ball in the middle of the field, a player fails to touch the ball and, as a result, their high foot makes contact with the opponent’s face. What is the correct decision?","answer":"As there is contact with the opponent, the referee awards a direct free kick and takes appropriate disciplinary action:
caution (yellow card) if the challenge was reckless
sending-off (red card) if the player endangered the safety of the opponent/used excessive force
The opponent can be assessed and treated on the field of play and may remain if able to continue.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2063,"publishDate":"2024-06-12T10:14:00Z","createdAt":"2024-04-25T11:01:51Z","question":"After the first half has ended, a player argues with an opponent and strikes them in the face on the field of play. The referee is informed by another match official about the incident as they are leaving the field, heading to the tunnel. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Law 5 clearly states that the referee has the power to show cards during the half-time interval. The offending player must be shown a red card for violent conduct, be prevented from taking any further part in the match, and cannot be replaced by a substitute. If the red card is not shown on the field of play, the player’s team and the opposing team should be informed and, where appropriate, an announcement made for the spectators before the start of the second half.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2050,"publishDate":"2024-06-07T13:19:08Z","createdAt":"2024-04-24T10:02:16Z","question":"A defender (Team A) was slightly injured and left the field of play for treatment. While the defender is still behind the goal line, an attacker (Team B) kicks the ball past the goalkeeper (Team A) and the ball is going towards Team A’s goal. The defender re-enters the field without the referee’s permission, clears the ball in their penalty area and prevents it from entering the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick because the defender re-entered the field without the required permission and interfered with play inside their penalty area. Law 12 states that if this offence denies the opposing team a goal, the player is sent off (direct red card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2062,"publishDate":"2024-06-07T13:18:06Z","createdAt":"2024-04-25T10:47:00Z","question":"The fourth official indicates that five additional minutes will be played at the end of the second half and is then approached by the head coach, who expresses disagreement with the amount of time decided by the referee. What is the correct decision if the ball is in play and the coach does not leave their technical area/commit any other offence? ","answer":"The referee does not need to stop play and may warn the coach when the ball is next out of play. If the dissent was clear and/or continual, the coach should be cautioned (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2059,"publishDate":"2024-05-24T11:32:41Z","createdAt":"2024-04-25T07:50:48Z","question":"A player raises their leg above shoulder level and kicks the ball. This action does not risk injury to other players and does not prevent them from playing the ball, as it is beyond their reach. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue, as it is not considered playing in a dangerous manner (no offence).
If the referee had blown a whistle before the ball went out, play is restarted with a dropped ball for the defending team goalkeeper. If the ball was already outside the field of play when the referee whistled, play restarts with a corner kick.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2060,"publishDate":"2024-05-10T13:07:10Z","createdAt":"2024-04-25T08:35:33Z","question":"A defender (Team A) competes with an attacker (Team B) for the ball near the touchline. The referee decides to allow play to continue. The head coach of Team B then angrily yells at the referee to stop play and award a free kick to Team B, although no offensive, insulting or abusive language is used. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Unless Team A would be disadvantaged by play being stopped, the referee stops play, cautions the coach (yellow card for dissent), and restarts play with an indirect free kick on the touchline nearest to where the verbal offence occurred.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":2051,"publishDate":"2024-05-07T14:23:07Z","createdAt":"2024-04-24T10:16:39Z","question":"A goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card) during the match which is then followed by penalties (penalty shoot-out). The goalkeeper saves the first kick and makes a provocative gesture towards spectators of the opposing team. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper is shown a yellow card but is not sent off because Law 10 states that cautions (and warnings) issued to players and team officials during the match are not carried forward into penalties (penalty shoot-out). Both cautions are reported to the appropriate authorities.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2029,"publishDate":"2024-05-07T14:21:28Z","createdAt":"2024-04-10T12:04:34Z","question":"Team A defender fouls an opponent, committing their third careless tackle during the match. The referee awards a free kick to Team B, warns the defender but does not caution them. Team B player gestures for a yellow card. What action does the referee take?","answer":"The decisions of match officials must be respected. Team B player is cautioned (yellow card) and play is restarted with the free kick to Team B where the foul occurred.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2027,"publishDate":"2024-05-07T14:18:30Z","createdAt":"2024-03-28T08:41:57Z","question":"Team A kicks the ball into the opponents’ penalty area. A defender of Team B heads the ball which hits their hand/arm and then goes directly into their team’s goal. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a goal. The prohibition of scoring from the hand/arm only applies to attacking team players.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2030,"publishDate":"2024-05-07T14:16:47Z","createdAt":"2024-04-10T12:07:07Z","question":"The head coach of Team A leaves their technical area several times (without entering the field of play) and receives a caution (yellow card). During additional time, with Team A leading by a single goal, the coach intentionally holds onto the ball to delay a throw-in by Team A. What should the referee do? ","answer":"The coach receives a second caution (yellow card) and is sent off (red card). As the offence was committed when the ball was out of play, play is restarted according to the previous decision (throw-in for Team A).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2009,"publishDate":"2024-04-12T12:23:25Z","createdAt":"2024-03-26T14:39:36Z","question":"A player scores a goal at the end of the match and celebrates in front of fans of the opposing team without leaving the field of play. After that, the referee talks with other match officials who indicate an offside offence and inform the referee that the scorer made an inappropriate gesture towards the fans. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee disallows the goal, awards an indirect free kick where the offside offence occurred and takes appropriate disciplinary action against the scorer:
caution (yellow card) – if the player acted in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
sending-off (red card) – if the gesture was offensive, insulting or abusive
The referee disallows the goal and awards a direct free kick to Team A for a handball offence.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":2007,"publishDate":"2024-04-12T12:20:48Z","createdAt":"2024-03-26T13:51:46Z","question":"A defender of Team A, who was treated outside the field of play, is ready to continue and re-enters the field without the required permission. What is the correct decision if Team B starts a promising attack and the player does not interfere with play/opponents? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. When the ball is next out of play, the player of Team A is cautioned (yellow card) for re-entering the field of play without permission and sanctioned for any further offence(s).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":2006,"publishDate":"2024-04-12T12:20:01Z","createdAt":"2024-03-26T13:46:42Z","question":"The goalkeeper catches a shot inside their penalty area, puts the ball on the ground, and dribbles it with the feet outside the penalty area. An opponent then sprints towards the ball, and the goalkeeper dribbles the ball back into the penalty area and picks it up. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team because the goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it from the hand(s) and before it has touched another player. As the handball offence occurred inside their penalty area, the goalkeeper is not cautioned (yellow card) for stopping a promising attack or sent off (red card) for denying the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1981,"publishDate":"2024-04-12T12:17:52Z","createdAt":"2024-02-23T08:49:07Z","question":"Team A is awarded a free kick for a reckless tackle outside the penalty area. The referee calls over the Team B player and as they are being shown the yellow card, a Team A player takes the free kick and passes the ball to a team-mate who has a goal-scoring opportunity. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The free kick must be retaken by Team A because the referee started the disciplinary sanction procedure and distracted the players of Team B so they could not defend Team A's attack.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1949,"publishDate":"2024-04-12T12:16:10Z","createdAt":"2024-01-17T08:57:28Z","question":"An attacker runs with the ball inside the opponents’ penalty area and tries to go past the goalkeeper (one-on-one situation). The goalkeeper attempts to play the ball and fouls the attacker who falls to the ground, however, the ball still goes directly into the goal. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue and awards the goal. There is no disciplinary sanction as the referee applied the advantage for an offence which would have resulted in a caution if the penalty kick had been awarded.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1982,"publishDate":"2024-03-08T15:05:43Z","createdAt":"2024-02-23T08:51:32Z","question":"A defender recklessly fouls an attacker and the point of contact with the attacker's leg is on the penalty area line. What is the correct decision?","answer":"According to Law 1 – The Field of Play, the lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries so the foul is considered as having occurred inside the penalty area. The referee awards a penalty kick and cautions the defender (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1963,"publishDate":"2024-02-23T15:53:19Z","createdAt":"2024-02-08T13:49:14Z","question":"A player takes a throw-in quickly and delivers the ball to a team-mate who is in an offside position. The team-mate controls the ball inside the opponents’ penalty area and is then carelessly fouled by an opponent. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick because there is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from a throw-in.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1964,"publishDate":"2024-02-23T15:52:35Z","createdAt":"2024-02-06T10:56:39Z","question":"A substitute enters the field of play without the referee's permission and approaches an opponent. This behaviour distracts the opponent’s attention when the substitute’s team has possession. The opponent strikes the substitute in the face (ball still in play). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The substitute is cautioned (yellow card) for entering the field without permission and the opponent is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. As the substitute’s offence occurred first, play restarts with a direct free kick to the opposing team from the position of the substitute’s interference.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1951,"publishDate":"2024-02-23T15:51:52Z","createdAt":"2024-01-31T08:14:12Z","question":"After a throw-in has been taken, the ball enters the penalty area, bounces off the ground, and a defender deliberately touches it with the arm. The referee notices a handball offence and immediately blows the whistle, even though the ball has gone to an attacker who takes a shot just after the whistle was blown. What is the decision if the ball enters the goal?","answer":"The referee should wait a few seconds to allow a possible advantage to develop. However, as play has been stopped by the referee, the ball was out of play when the goal was scored so it cannot be awarded. In this case, play is restarted with a penalty kick for the handball offence and, depending on the exact situation, any appropriate disciplinary action.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1946,"publishDate":"2024-02-23T15:51:05Z","createdAt":"2024-01-30T15:21:41Z","question":"An attacker and a defender challenge for the ball inside the penalty area. The attacker is faster and plays the ball first, whereas the defender misses it, carelessly steps on the opponent’s foot and stops a promising attack. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The defender is not cautioned (no yellow card) because the offence which stopped a promising attack occurred inside the defender’s penalty area and was a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1948,"publishDate":"2024-02-06T15:13:42Z","createdAt":"2024-01-30T15:40:23Z","question":" A defender pushes an attacker who is in the penalty area and in front of the empty goal. The attacker loses balance, falls down and accidentally touches the ball with the hand. Immediately after that, the attacker manages to kick the ball and scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick and sends off the defender (red card for a DOGSO offence). The referee cannot apply the advantage and award the goal because the player scored in the opponents’ goal immediately after the ball had touched their hand/arm.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1947,"publishDate":"2024-02-06T15:12:21Z","createdAt":"2024-01-30T15:30:30Z","question":"A defender trips an attacker in a reckless manner outside the penalty area. What is the correct decision if this foul denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO)?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the attacking team. In terms of disciplinary sanction, the referee punishes the more serious offence, so it is a red card for the DOGSO offence, not a yellow card for the reckless foul.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1927,"publishDate":"2024-02-06T15:10:36Z","createdAt":"2024-01-09T15:09:40Z","question":"Team A is awarded a direct free kick close to the opponents’ penalty area. The referee clearly informs the attacking player(s) to wait for the whistle before restarting play and approaches Team B players to ensure they respect the required distance from the ball. At the same time, Team A player takes a free kick before the referee gives a signal to do so. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The free kick must be retaken and the player who took the kick is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1925,"publishDate":"2024-02-06T14:59:51Z","createdAt":"2024-01-09T15:00:18Z","question":"An attacker runs with the ball into the opponents’ penalty area (one-on-one situation). A defender catches up with the attacker but has no possibility to play the ball so the defender pushes the opponent to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The defender is sent off (red card) for DOGSO because the offence was not an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1900,"publishDate":"2024-01-26T15:34:56Z","createdAt":"2023-12-14T10:39:39Z","question":"A defender and an attacker challenge physically for the ball, using shoulders and upper arms which are kept close to the body (side-to-side contact, not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force). The ball is close to both players (they are able to touch it by stretching out their legs). What is the correct decision?","answer":"Players may be fairly charged by opponents if the ball is within playing distance and they do not use more force/energy than is necessary. There is no foul, so the referee allows play to continue.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1898,"publishDate":"2024-01-26T15:34:26Z","createdAt":"2023-12-13T15:38:37Z","question":"A defender pulls an attacker’s shirt to stop a promising attack (SPA). The referee applies the advantage as the attacker gets free of the opponent and runs with the ball into the penalty area. After that, the same defender catches up with the attacker, challenges for the ball in a reckless manner and fouls the attacker (no DOGSO offence). What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick and cautions (yellow card, YC) the defender for the reckless challenge. There is no YC for the SPA offence because, by playing the advantage, the promising attack was continued/restored.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1896,"publishDate":"2024-01-26T15:31:37Z","createdAt":"2023-12-13T13:20:53Z","question":"A defender takes a free kick and passes the ball to the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper touches the ball with the foot outside their penalty area and notices that an attacker is running quickly towards the ball, so the goalkeeper dribbles into the penalty area and then picks the ball up. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team at the point where the goalkeeper handled the ball. As the handball offence occurred inside their penalty area, the goalkeeper cannot be cautioned (yellow card) for stopping a promising attack or sent off (red card) for denying the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1899,"publishDate":"2024-01-09T11:01:16Z","createdAt":"2023-12-14T10:02:23Z","question":"While competing with an opponent for the ball, a player falls to the ground in the middle of the field, pretends to have been fouled and grabs the ball with their hand. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is guilty of two offences (simulation and deliberately handling the ball when it is in play). As the offences occur so close together, the referee can award a direct free kick for the handball offence and caution (yellow card) the player for unsporting behaviour (an attempt to deceive the referee).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1874,"publishDate":"2024-01-09T10:59:51Z","createdAt":"2023-11-23T13:28:58Z","question":"A defender competes with an attacker for the ball and commits a careless tackle outside the penalty area which denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The referee allows play to continue as the ball goes to another attacking player who gains possession of the ball, takes a shot and scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee applies the advantage and awards the goal. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour but is not sent off because, by playing the advantage, the goal-scoring opportunity was restored.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1876,"publishDate":"2024-01-09T10:58:52Z","createdAt":"2023-11-23T15:05:56Z","question":"A defender challenges an attacker for the ball and raises the leg above head level. The defender kicks the ball and their foot narrowly misses the attacker’s head/face but there is no contact with the opponent. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards the attacker’s team an indirect free kick (as there was no contact with the attacker). The defender is:
cautioned (yellow card) if the challenge was reckless or stopped a promising attack
sent off (red card) if the defender endangered the safety of the opponent/used excessive force or denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
As the red card offence occurred before the substitution, the player is sent off and the substitution is cancelled. The injured player can remain on the field of play for/after treatment. If the offence occurred when the ball was in play, play restarts with a direct free kick to Team A (or a penalty kick if it occurred in Team B's penalty area).
","sectionOrder":5},{"id":1834,"publishDate":"2023-11-29T09:14:05Z","createdAt":"2023-10-26T12:19:05Z","question":"The goalkeeper delays a goal kick at the end of the match: ignores the ball passed by a ball girl, goes for another ball, slowly walks to the goal area, puts the ball on the ground and takes a few long steps before starting a run-up. The goalkeeper has already been cautioned (yellow card) in the first half. What is the correct decision if the referee reacts before the goal kick is taken?\n","answer":"The goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card) for delaying the restart of play and sent off (red card) for receiving a second caution in the same match. The offence does not change how play is restarted. Before the goal kick is taken, the offender’s team must have a new goalkeeper (one of the remaining players on the field of play or a substitute who will replace an outfield player).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1837,"publishDate":"2023-11-29T08:50:57Z","createdAt":"2023-10-27T08:19:18Z","question":"An attacker attempts to win a position with a defender, clearly holds the opponent and impedes their movement. The defender shields the ball, tries to get free and then strikes the attacker in the face with the elbow. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play, penalises the first (holding) offence and awards a direct free kick against the attacker’s team. The sanction for the defender depends on the severity of the offence. If the defender was guilty of:
acting in a reckless manner – caution (yellow card)
violent conduct – sending-off (red card)
The attacker may be cautioned for unsporting behaviour if the holding was considered blatant/provocative.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1833,"publishDate":"2023-11-23T16:09:54Z","createdAt":"2023-10-26T12:15:25Z","question":"A defender (Team A) starts a promising counter-attack, kicks the ball and tries to go past an attacker (Team B). The attacker moves into the defender’s path and this movement prevents the opponent from getting to the ball when it is not within playing distance of either player (no contact between the players). Subsequently, the ball goes to another Team B player. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to Team A for impeding the progress of the opponent without contact. The offender is cautioned (yellow card) for stopping a promising attack.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1775,"publishDate":"2023-10-19T09:23:37Z","createdAt":"2023-09-01T11:48:57Z","question":"A defender deliberately kicks the ball towards a goalkeeper (a team-mate). After that, the ball makes contact with an opponent’s leg but does not change direction and finally goes to the goalkeeper who picks the ball up inside their penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. If the ball touches another player (of any team) before the pass reaches the goalkeeper, they can handle the ball (regardless of the strength of the contact/touch).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1772,"publishDate":"2023-10-19T09:17:47Z","createdAt":"2023-09-27T10:56:18Z","question":"A defender commits a foul challenge within their own penalty area which denies an attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) and endangers the safety of the opponent. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick and sends off the defender. When two offences occur at the same time, the more serious offence must be punished. Therefore, it is a red card for serious foul play (not a yellow card for the DOGSO offence that was a challenge for the ball inside the penalty area).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1708,"publishDate":"2023-10-03T11:49:18Z","createdAt":"2023-08-30T13:28:56Z","question":"A defender competes with an attacker for the ball and commits a reckless foul in the middle of the field. After that, the players fall to the ground and the attacker bites the defender. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick against the defender’s team because the first offence is penalised. Both players must receive the appropriate disciplinary sanction:
the defender is cautioned (yellow card) for the reckless challenge
the attacker is sent off (red card) for biting the opponent
The referee disallows the goal (because of the offside offence) and awards a penalty kick (as the holding offence occurred before the offside offence). If the foul denied an obvious-goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO), the defender is sent off (red card, no attempt to play the ball or challenge for the ball). If it was not a DOGSO situation, the defender is cautioned (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1603,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T08:45:17Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T08:44:18Z","question":"A defender (Team A) pulls an attacker’s shirt (Team B) outside the penalty area which interferes with a promising attack. The attacker retains possession of the ball and the referee plays the advantage. Immediately after that, another defender (Team A) commits a careless tackle, makes contact with the attacker inside the penalty area and denies Team B an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The second defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (DOGSO offence within the defender’s penalty area which was a challenge for the ball) but there is no caution (no yellow card) for the first defender as the referee played the advantage.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1589,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T07:19:41Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T07:19:15Z","question":"During penalties (penalty shoot-out), a Team A player uses an offensive gesture towards the opposing goalkeeper after taking their kick. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The outcome of the kick is recorded (it cannot be declared missed as the kick had been taken before the offence), the player is sent off (red card) and Team B must remove one player and inform the referee of the name and number of this player.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1573,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:34:37Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:34:10Z","question":"A coach enters the field of play during penalties (penalty shoot-out) and approaches the penalty area to confront the referee. What action does the referee take?","answer":"The coach is sent off (red card) and must leave the field of play and its immediate surrounds, including the technical area.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1572,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:30:03Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:29:16Z","question":"During penalties (penalty shoot-out), a coach acts in a provocative manner towards opposing team officials. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee may take disciplinary action against team officials who fail to act in a responsible manner during kicks. The coach will be cautioned (yellow card) or sent off (red card) depending on the exact circumstances.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1571,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:23:22Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:23:05Z","question":"Under pressure from an attacking team player, a defender deliberately kicks the ball to the goalkeeper. However, because the ball will go into the goal, the goalkeeper handles the ball inside the goal area to prevent a goal. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"An indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team which is taken from the nearest point on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line. In this case, there is no disciplinary sanction because the goalkeeper cannot be sent off (red card) for a handball offence in their own penalty area.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1568,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:16:53Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:16:29Z","question":"A player is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play and change their footwear. When the ball is in play, the player argues with a photographer outside the field and attempts to strike the photographer. The referee stops play for this incident. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. Play is restarted with a dropped ball as outlined in Law 8. A free kick cannot be awarded because the player left the field of play with the referee’s permission and the offence was not committed against someone on the team lists or a match official.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1567,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:14:40Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:14:18Z","question":"When the ball is in play, a player leaves the field without the referee’s permission and pushes a ball boy/girl in an aggressive manner. The referee stops play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the point on the boundary line where the player left the field of play for the offence of leaving the field of play without permission.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1566,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:11:42Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:11:18Z","question":"When the ball is in play, a player leaves the field without the referee’s permission and strikes a spectator. The referee stops play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the point on the boundary line where the player left the field of play for the offence of leaving the field of play without permission.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1564,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:05:53Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T06:05:32Z","question":"A player who is to be substituted is on the far side of the field of play, close to the touchline. After receiving the referee’s indication to leave the field at the nearest point on the touchline, the player walks slowly towards the substitute who is at the halfway line. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The player must be cautioned (yellow card) for delaying the restart of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1562,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T06:00:22Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:59:34Z","question":"A substitute was cautioned (yellow card) in the first half for delaying the restart of play by the opposing team. In the second half, the substitute replaces a team-mate and enters the field of play after receiving a signal from the referee. Ten minutes later, this (new) player handles the ball to stop a promising attack. What action does the referee take?","answer":"The referee shows a yellow card and then a red card because the same person receives two cautions in the same match – one as a substitute and one as a player. The offender is sent off and must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1561,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:57:38Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:57:11Z","question":"A player was cautioned (yellow card) for a reckless challenge in the first half and substituted during the half-time interval. In the second half, the same (substituted) player leaves the technical area, approaches the assistant referee and shows dissent from the offside decision. What action does the referee take? ","answer":"The referee shows a yellow card and then a red card because the same person receives two cautions in the same match – one as a player and one as a substituted player. The offender is sent off and must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1560,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:55:39Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:55:11Z","question":"A player prepares to take a corner kick at the end of the second half. Suddenly, before the ball is in play, a spectator enters the field and kicks the ball. After that, the player loses their self-control and strikes the spectator in the face. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee must have the spectator removed. The player is sent off for violent conduct (red card). Play is started with the (original) corner kick.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":1559,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:53:10Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:52:47Z","question":"While the ball is in play, a player re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission, kicks the ball away and thus stops a promising attack. The ball leaves the field over the touchline. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee stops play and takes appropriate disciplinary action. The player receives a caution (yellow card) for each offence (entering without the referee’s permission and stopping a promising attack) and therefore is sent off (red card). Play is restarted with a direct free kick for the opposing team from the place where the player kicked the ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1557,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:48:21Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:47:51Z","question":"A substitute enters the video operation room (VOR) during a match. The referee is informed about this incident when play next stops. What is the correct procedure?","answer":"The substitute is sent off (red card), must leave the technical area and may not be replaced. The number of substitutions the team is permitted to make is not reduced.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1556,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:44:51Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:44:20Z","question":"After the ball has left the field of play, a substitute (Team A) kicks the ball away to delay the throw-in by the opponents (Team B). The substitute has already been cautioned for another offence. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee shows the substitute a second yellow card and a red card. The substitute is sent off, must leave the technical area and may not be replaced. The number of substitutions the team is permitted to make is not reduced. Play is restarted according to the previous decision (the throw-in for Team B).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1555,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:41:38Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:40:59Z","question":"A player delays leaving the field of play when being substituted. The same player has already been cautioned for another offence. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee shows the player a second yellow card and a red card. The player is sent off and cannot be replaced – the substitution is not made.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1554,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:38:10Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:37:31Z","question":"Before the team lists have been submitted, a player spits at an opponent in the pre-match warm-up on the field of play. If it is noticed by the match officials, what is the correct procedure? ","answer":"The offender cannot be named on the team list or play in the match and is reported to the appropriate authority. The number of players and substitutes is not reduced. A red card is not shown as cards may not be shown until the referee enters the field of play at the start of the match.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1551,"publishDate":"2023-06-30T05:24:02Z","createdAt":"2023-06-30T05:23:15Z","question":"The referee notices that a named substitute is using offensive gestures towards an opposing player on the field of play during the warm-up before the kick-off. What disciplinary action does the referee take? ","answer":"A named substitute who is sent off, may not take part in the match and may not be replaced by another substitute. The number of substitutions the team is permitted to make is not reduced.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1538,"publishDate":"2023-06-29T16:20:58Z","createdAt":"2023-06-29T16:19:35Z","question":"With the ball in play, a coach enters the field of play to interfere with an opposing player. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The referee will stop play (unless advantage is played), send off (red card, RC) the coach and restart play with a direct free kick from the position of the interference – if this is in the penalty area of the coach’s team a penalty kick is awarded.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1461,"publishDate":"2023-06-07T14:10:05Z","createdAt":"2023-05-04T05:32:45Z","question":"The match is coming to an end and Team A is winning by one goal. In additional time, a defender (Team A) challenges an attacker (Team B) in a reckless manner. Before the referee has started the disciplinary sanction procedure, one player of Team B prepares to take a quick free kick and the offending defender also comes up and kicks the ball away. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The defender receives a caution (yellow card) for each offence (reckless challenge and delaying the restart of play) and therefore is sent off (red card). Play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position of the first offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1482,"publishDate":"2023-06-02T14:25:29Z","createdAt":"2023-05-17T10:31:25Z","question":"A player kicks a free kick into the opponents’ penalty area. While the ball is in the air, the defending team goalkeeper jumps and attempts to punch the ball but does not touch it. As a result, the goalkeeper bumps into the attacker and knocks them down. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick and takes appropriate disciplinary action against the goalkeeper:
caution (yellow card) – if the offence was reckless or denied the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
sending-off (red card) – if the goalkeeper endangered the safety of the attacker
The referee does not have to stop play and may take the disciplinary sanction when the ball next goes out of play. An initial, non-exaggerated disagreement, objection or complaint is usually accepted by the referee as a natural reaction. Clear and/or continual dissent (with words, actions or gestures) is punished with a caution (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1402,"publishDate":"2023-04-28T13:59:45Z","createdAt":"2023-03-01T07:01:14Z","question":"A defender takes a direct free kick and passes the ball to a goalkeeper who slips on the grass and does not touch the ball. After that, an attacker of the opposing team runs towards the ball so the same defender kicks the ball out for a corner kick and denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team because the defender cannot touch the ball a second time after a restart until it has touched another player. The free kick will be taken:
from the place where the offence occurred – if the second touch occurred outside the goal area
from the nearest point on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line – if the second touch occurred in the goal area
The defender is sent off (red card) for a DOGSO offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1403,"publishDate":"2023-04-05T08:13:06Z","createdAt":"2023-03-01T07:36:25Z","question":"An attacker is in an offside position at the moment the ball is kicked towards the penalty area by a team-mate. This attacker moves and deliberately blocks an opponent (there is contact). Another attacker (who was onside) receives the ball and scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee disallows the goal and awards a direct free kick to the defending team for the Law 12 physical offence which is penalised (rather than any offside offence) as it is the more serious offence.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1399,"publishDate":"2023-03-15T11:41:41Z","createdAt":"2023-02-28T17:27:45Z","question":"A defender commits a reckless tackle against an attacker after the ball has been touched by the attacker and gone out over the touchline. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The offender is cautioned (yellow card) for the reckless challenge even though it occurred after the ball was out of play. However, play is restarted with a throw-in for the defending team because the referee cannot award a free kick as the ball was outside the field of play at the time of the challenge.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":1372,"publishDate":"2023-03-10T14:40:25Z","createdAt":"2023-02-02T13:09:11Z","question":"A defender kicks the ball to a goalkeeper (a team-mate). After the ball has been kicked, an attacker of the opposing team also chases after the ball so the goalkeeper runs out of the penalty area and deliberately touches the ball with their hand. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick. If the referee decides that the handball offence:
stopped a promising attack – the goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card)
denied the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity – the goalkeeper is sent off (red card)
The coach is sent off (red card) and must leave the field of play and its immediate surrounds, including the technical area.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1376,"publishDate":"2023-03-01T20:05:23Z","createdAt":"2023-02-03T09:00:09Z","question":"A defender (Team A) challenges an attacker (Team B) for the ball outside the penalty area and steps on the opponent’s foot in a careless manner. After that, the attacker falls to the ground, grabs their knee and pretends to have been seriously injured. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to Team B because the attacker was fouled. At the same time, this player held the wrong part of the body, exaggerated the seriousness of the foul and feigned injury so the referee should also caution the attacker for simulation (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1328,"publishDate":"2023-03-01T20:00:12Z","createdAt":"2023-01-04T08:51:51Z","question":"A defending team player tries to kick the ball out. The ball accidentally hits the arm of an attacking team player (the arm has made their body unnaturally bigger). After that, the ball goes to another attacker who scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"It is a handball offence because the arm made the attacker's body unnaturally bigger. The referee disallows the goal and awards a direct free kick to the defending team.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1327,"publishDate":"2023-02-10T13:18:18Z","createdAt":"2023-01-04T08:47:42Z","question":"A defender (Team A) commits a foul that endangers the safety of an attacker (Team B). The referee immediately stops play and sends off the defender (red card). At the same time, as the foul was committed close to the technical area, a substitute (Team B) enters the field of play and is held back by team-mates to avoid confrontation with the offender. What is the correct decision?","answer":"If the substitute does not commit any other offence, the substitute must be cautioned (yellow card) for entering the field without the referee’s permission. Play is restarted with a free kick to Team B for the initial offence (foul).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1330,"publishDate":"2023-02-01T09:57:00Z","createdAt":"2023-01-04T10:07:09Z","question":"A player of Team A prepares to take a corner kick. At the same time, one of their team-mates challenges for position with a defender (Team B) and is pushed by the opponent before the ball has been touched by the kicker. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The defender can be warned, cautioned (yellow card) or sent off (red card), depending on the severity of the push. Play is restarted with the (original) corner kick because a penalty kick cannot be awarded as the ball was not in play at the time of the offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1325,"publishDate":"2023-01-20T14:39:18Z","createdAt":"2023-01-04T08:37:14Z","question":"A defender deliberately passes the ball to a goalkeeper (a team-mate). After the ball has been kicked, an attacker of the opposing team also runs towards the ball so the goalkeeper goes to the ground and catches the ball in their own penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team. There is no disciplinary sanction for the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1329,"publishDate":"2023-01-20T14:36:02Z","createdAt":"2023-01-04T08:54:58Z","question":"An attacking player runs with the ball towards the opponents’ goal. A defending player first pushes the attacker (outside the penalty area) and then deliberately trips the opponent and this (second) contact is inside the penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee applies advantage for the push and awards a penalty kick for the tripping offence which occurred inside the penalty area. If the tripping offence stopped a promising attack or denied the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the defender receives the appropriate disciplinary sanction.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1284,"publishDate":"2023-01-05T12:56:14Z","createdAt":"2022-11-15T07:25:04Z","question":"When a corner kick is taken, a defending team player is closer than 9.15 m from the corner arc and interferes with the player who is taking the kick. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The corner kick is retaken, unless the referee plays advantage (if such an opportunity arises). The defending team player is cautioned (yellow card) for failing to respect the required distance.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1311,"publishDate":"2022-12-21T16:55:43Z","createdAt":"2022-12-14T15:11:03Z","question":"An attacking team player kicks the ball towards the opponents’ goal. A defending team player heads the ball in their own penalty area and the ball accidentally hits the arm of the attacker. Immediately after that, the ball goes to another attacker who scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Accidental handball by a team-mate immediately before a goal is scored is not an offence. The referee awards the goal provided that the arm has not made the body unnaturally bigger.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1290,"publishDate":"2022-12-09T12:25:11Z","createdAt":"2022-11-15T08:43:51Z","question":"The referee has awarded a free kick to Team A. While the kicker feints to kick the ball, an opposing player moves closer than the required distance (9.15 m) and interferes with the kick before the ball is in play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Feinting to take a free kick to confuse opponents is permitted. The opposing player is cautioned (yellow card) for failing to respect the required distance.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1286,"publishDate":"2022-12-09T12:17:38Z","createdAt":"2022-11-15T07:56:45Z","question":"An attacking team player is in an offside position at the moment when their team-mate takes a free kick. After the ball is in play, a defending team player pushes the attacker inside the penalty area before the attacker starts moving towards the ball. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick because the attacker in an offside position is fouled before any offside offence has been committed. The offender receives the appropriate disciplinary sanction.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1253,"publishDate":"2022-11-03T11:26:33Z","createdAt":"2022-10-12T12:52:11Z","question":"A player of Team A slowly prepares to take a throw-in. A coach of Team B gets annoyed, leaves the confines of their technical area and ignores a request from a fourth official to step back (without committing any other offences). What actions does the referee take?","answer":"The player is cautioned (yellow card) if the referee considers their behaviour to be delaying the restart of play. The coach is warned, however, repeated or blatant offences should result in a caution (yellow card) or sending-off (red card). Play is restarted according to the previous decision (throw-in for Team A).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1222,"publishDate":"2022-11-03T11:18:54Z","createdAt":"2022-09-20T10:45:01Z","question":"An attacking player chases a long ball that is going towards the opponents’ penalty area. The goalkeeper catches the ball when their feet are inside the penalty area but the hands and the ball are outside. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper committed a handball offence because the point of contact between the hands and the ball was outside the penalty area (the position of the goalkeeper’s feet is irrelevant). The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the attacking team. The goalkeeper is sent off (red card) if the offence denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity; if it stopped a promising attack, the goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1193,"publishDate":"2022-10-07T14:25:53Z","createdAt":"2022-08-30T10:24:10Z","question":"A defensive midfielder moves into the attacker’s path to block their way when the ball is not within playing distance of either player (no contact is made). After that, the attacker tries to win a position and pushes the midfielder in a reckless manner. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick against the midfielder’s team for impeding the progress of an opponent without contact. This offence is penalised because it occurred before the attacker's offence. Nevertheless, the attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for the reckless push.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1225,"publishDate":"2022-10-07T14:09:36Z","createdAt":"2022-08-30T07:56:58Z","question":"While the ball is in play, in the middle of the field, a defender starts a fight with an attacker and strikes the opposing player in the defender’s penalty area. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"If the first offence was by the defender in their penalty area and the ball was in play, it is a penalty kick – it does not matter where the ball was when the offence occurred as long as it was in play. The defender is sent off (red card) for violent conduct.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":1168,"publishDate":"2022-09-07T10:26:08Z","createdAt":"2022-08-11T07:05:01Z","question":"When the ball is in play, a player leaves the field of play without the referee's permission and attempts to strike an opposing coach. The referee stops play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. Play is restarted with a direct free kick to the opposing team from the point on the boundary line nearest to where the offence occurred.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1114,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:10Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:10Z","question":"At a goal kick the goalkeeper ‘flicks’ the ball up and a team-mate heads/chests the ball back for the goalkeeper to catch. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The 'initiator' of this attempt to circumvent the Law is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team as outlined in Law 13.2 (depending on where the ball was ‘flicked’ up).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1113,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:09Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:09Z","question":"An attacking player accidentally touches the ball with their hand/arm and then passes the ball to the team-mate who immediately has a clear goal-scoring opportunity. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Accidental handball by a team-mate creating a goal-scoring opportunity is not a handball offence (unless it was deliberate or the hand/arm has made the body unnaturally bigger) so the referee will allow play to continue.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1112,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:08Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:08Z","question":"The ball touches the hand of an attacking player. He/she does not gain control of the ball, however, his/her team-mate immediately gains possession of the ball and scores a goal. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Accidental handball by a team-mate of the scorer is not a handball offence (unless it was deliberate or the hand/arm has made the body unnaturally bigger) so the referee will award the goal.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1111,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:07Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:07Z","question":"A player (Team A) touches an opposing player (Team B) in an offensive way before a free kick is taken (ball out of play). What is the correct decision?","answer":"This behaviour is inappropriate – the Team A player is sent off (red card) for an ‘offensive, insulting or abusive action’. Play is restarted according to the previous decision (free kick).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1110,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:06Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:06Z","question":"A player who is already off the field of play (having been treated for an injury) argues with a ball boy/girl and spits at him/her. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The player is sent off (red card). Play is restarted with a dropped ball as outlined in Law 8 – a free kick cannot be awarded because this offence was not committed against someone on the team lists or a match official.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1109,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:05Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:05Z","question":"At a free kick the goalkeeper 'flicks' the ball up and a team-mate heads/chests the ball back for the goalkeeper to catch in their own penalty area. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The 'initiator' of this attempt to circumvent the Law is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team as outlined in Law 13.2 (depending on where the ball was ‘flicked’ up).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1108,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:04Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:04Z","question":"An attacker accidentally touches the ball with their hand/arm (it has not made their body unnaturally bigger) and then passes the ball to a team-mate who immediately passes the ball back to the attacker who scores. What is the correct decision?","answer":"This is not a handball offence. The referee will award the goal.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1107,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:03Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:03Z","question":"A defending player kicks the ball which then accidentally touches their arm inside the penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"It is not a handball offence as the contact is a consequence of the player deliberately playing the ball with another part of the body (against himself/herself). The referee will allow play to continue.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1106,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:02Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:02Z","question":"An attacking player kicks the ball and it touches an arm of a defending player who is close. The arm was kept close to the side of the body and the player moved their arm into the body to avoid contact with the ball. What is the correct decision?","answer":"It is not a handball offence. The referee will allow play to continue.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1104,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:14:00Z","createdAt":"2022-06-24T10:00:00Z","question":"An attacking player receives a long pass, accidentally touches the ball with their hand/arm and immediately scores a goal. The hand/arm has not made their body unnaturally bigger. What is the correct decision?","answer":"It is a handball offence. The referee will award a direct free kick to the defending team as Law 12 does not allow a goal to be scored immediately after contact with the hand/arm of the scorer (even if accidental) regardless of the position of the hand/arm.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":1103,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T07:13:59Z","createdAt":"2022-06-30T17:04:22Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) attempts to pass the ball. A defender (Team B) makes a slide tackle to block the pass. The ball touches the right arm which is clearly extended away from the body and is not supporting the body. What is the correct decision?","answer":"It is a handball offence. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. The referee will award a direct free kick (or penalty kick) to Team A.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":976,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T05:48:46Z","createdAt":"2022-03-03T11:11:40Z","question":"Team A takes a corner kick and Team B goalkeeper catches the ball within their penalty area. After that, before releasing the ball, the goalkeeper deliberately touches Team A player’s head with their hand and pushes the opponent. What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a penalty kick to Team A. The goalkeeper is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. Before the penalty kick is taken, Team B must either:
decide which of the remaining players on the field of play will become a new goalkeeper and change their equipment accordingly
substitute one of the remaining players with a substitute goalkeeper (if they have not already used the maximum number of permitted substitutes)
The coach is cautioned (yellow card) because their action shows a clear lack of respect for the match official.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1077,"publishDate":"2022-06-30T04:17:49Z","createdAt":"2022-05-25T11:39:42Z","question":"A defender (Team A) commits a reckless tackle against an attacker (Team B) outside the penalty area. The referee stops play, awards a free kick and calls the defender for a caution. Before the yellow card is shown, an attacker takes a quick free kick and Team B has a clear goal-scoring opportunity. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee stops play because the disciplinary procedure had started and 'distracted' the offender who is unfairly out of position and unable to take part in the game. After the caution is issued, play restarts with the original free kick for Team B.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1049,"publishDate":"2022-06-07T14:52:34Z","createdAt":"2022-05-04T15:00:59Z","question":"A defender (Team A) pulls an attacker’s shirt (Team B) outside the penalty area which stops a promising attack. The attacker retains possession of the ball and the referee plays the advantage. Immediately after that, another defender (Team A) commits a careless tackle, makes contact with the attacker inside the penalty area and denies Team B an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The second defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (DOGSO offence within the defender’s penalty area which was an attempt to play the ball) but there is no caution (no yellow card) for the first defender as the referee played the advantage.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1050,"publishDate":"2022-06-02T10:42:03Z","createdAt":"2022-05-04T15:06:06Z","question":"The referee stops play and awards a penalty kick because an attacker falls down in the opponents’ penalty area and the referee thinks the attacker was fouled by a defender. The referee undertakes an on-field review and the replay footage clearly shows that the attacker pretends to have been fouled – the defender did not touch the attacker . What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"The penalty kick is cancelled and an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (simulation).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":1044,"publishDate":"2022-06-02T10:40:48Z","createdAt":"2022-05-04T14:33:06Z","question":"During the match, while the ball is in play, a coach (Team A) enters the technical area of the opposing team and attempts to strike the opposing coach (Team B). The referee stops play to deal with this situation. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The coach of Team A is sent off (red card). Play is restarted with a dropped ball (as outlined in Law 8).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1047,"publishDate":"2022-05-27T14:26:11Z","createdAt":"2022-05-04T14:47:08Z","question":"The referee has awarded a throw-in for Team A. The opposing coach (Team B) holds the ball and delays the restart of play. Team A player, who is already off the field to take the throw-in, snatches the ball from the coach’s hands and uses excessive force to push the coach. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"Both the coach (Team B) and the player (Team A) must be sent off (red card). As the offences were committed when the ball was out of play, play will be restarted according to the previous decision (throw-in for Team A).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1021,"publishDate":"2022-05-24T07:15:43Z","createdAt":"2022-04-06T16:26:07Z","question":"An attacker gets the ball close to the goal line and runs into the opponents’ penalty area. A defender commits a sliding tackle that endangers the safety of the attacker. What is the decision if the tackle occurs after the ball has wholly passed over the goal line (outside the goal, without touching any defender)?","answer":"The defender is sent off (red card) for serious foul play. A penalty kick cannot be awarded because the ball was out of play at the time of the tackle. Play is restarted with a goal kick.
","sectionOrder":0},{"id":1006,"publishDate":"2022-05-05T07:21:27Z","createdAt":"2022-03-31T09:47:38Z","question":"An attacking team player deliberately touches the ball with their hand to retain possession of the ball and continue a promising attack in the opponents’ half of the field. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to the opposing team for a handball offence. The player may be cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour but it is not mandatory.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":1004,"publishDate":"2022-04-29T11:44:42Z","createdAt":"2022-03-31T09:37:03Z","question":"A player takes a throw-in and throws the ball towards a goalkeeper (a team-mate). The goalkeeper clearly attempts to kick the ball but fails to release it into play. After that, the ball accidentally touches the goalkeeper’s hand inside their penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. When the goalkeeper clearly tries to kick the ball into play, this shows no intention to handle the ball, so if the ‘clearance’ attempt is unsuccessful, the goalkeeper can handle the ball.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":981,"publishDate":"2022-04-27T07:24:01Z","createdAt":"2022-03-03T11:27:29Z","question":"A defender is fairly challenged by an attacker outside the defender’s penalty area. Suddenly, the defender slips on the grass, falls down and accidentally touches the ball with their hand. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue as the contact with the ball was the result of the player's natural movement as part of that playing situation.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":973,"publishDate":"2022-04-21T08:21:51Z","createdAt":"2022-03-03T10:56:28Z","question":"A midfielder (Team A) passes the ball towards an attacker (Team A) who is in an offside position and challenges for the ball. After that, a defender (Team B) pushes the attacker in a reckless manner outside the penalty area. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards an indirect free kick to Team B because the offside offence occurred before the foul. The referee must also take appropriate disciplinary action against the defender and caution (yellow card) the player for the reckless push.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":980,"publishDate":"2022-04-12T15:31:52Z","createdAt":"2022-03-03T11:24:17Z","question":"A defender tries to kick the ball out. The ball hits the arm of another defender who is standing close in their penalty area and does not expect the ball to come from a team-mate. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. It is not a handball offence – the defender is not considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger (whether or not the arm was close to the body or already extended).
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":978,"publishDate":"2022-03-15T10:56:22Z","createdAt":"2022-03-03T11:19:49Z","question":"While the ball is in play, a substitute (Team A) throws a water bottle at an opposing player (Team B) who is on the field of play. The opponent reacts and avoids the object. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick (or a penalty kick) to Team B where the water bottle would have struck the player. The thrown object does not need to make contact with the opponent for the substitute to be penalised. The referee takes the appropriate disciplinary action:
reckless – caution the substitute for unsporting behaviour (yellow card)
using excessive force – send off the substitute for violent conduct (red card)
The coach is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. If the referee stops play for this incident, play restarts with a dropped ball as outlined in Law 8. If the ball was already out of play, it is restarted according to the previous decision.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":933,"publishDate":"2022-02-17T07:02:12Z","createdAt":"2022-01-26T10:13:29Z","question":"A player was cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour in the first half. During the second half, the same player commits a reckless challenge. The referee stops play, awards a direct free kick and the offending player shows dissent. What disciplinary action does the referee take?","answer":"The player is shown a yellow card for the reckless challenge offence, then a red card and is sent off. The subsequent cautionable offence (dissent) should be included in the disciplinary report but a yellow card is not shown.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":905,"publishDate":"2022-02-08T07:12:33Z","createdAt":"2021-12-16T10:25:15Z","question":"Team A player takes a throw-in and throws the ball towards the opponents’ penalty area. The ball is going directly into the goal and Team B player (not a goalkeeper) handles the ball and prevents it from entering the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick and cautions (yellow card) Team B player for unsporting behaviour. The offender cannot be sent off (red card) for denying a goal because a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in (if the player had not touched the ball and the ball had entered the goal, the goal kick would have been awarded).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":904,"publishDate":"2022-02-03T08:19:51Z","createdAt":"2021-12-16T09:15:55Z","question":"The referee drops the ball for the goalkeeper in their penalty area. After the ball has touched the ground, the goalkeeper picks the ball up inside the penalty area and then kicks the ball to a team-mate. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. The goalkeeper may handle the ball in their own penalty area when play is restarted with a dropped ball and the ball is in play (has already touched the ground).
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":908,"publishDate":"2022-01-25T16:34:45Z","createdAt":"2022-01-05T15:11:14Z","question":"Team A player moves with the ball close to the touchline and the ball briefly goes out of play. The assistant referee indicates that the whole of the ball has left the field and that Team B is entitled to take a throw-in. Team A player approaches the assistant referee and shows dissent from this decision. What does the referee do?","answer":"Team A player must be cautioned. Public protest or disagreement (verbal and/or physical) with a decision is punishable by a yellow card regardless of whether it is directed at the referee, assistant referee or any other match official. Play is restarted according to the previous decision (throw-in for Team B).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":865,"publishDate":"2022-01-14T07:27:04Z","createdAt":"2021-12-01T12:20:47Z","question":"A goalkeeper (Team A) leaves the penalty area and approaches an attacker (Team B) who is running one-on-one towards the goal. The attacker tries to lob the ball over the opponent so the goalkeeper catches the ball outside their penalty area to prevent a goal from being scored. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to Team B. The goalkeeper is sent off (red card) if the referee judges that the handball offence denied the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":871,"publishDate":"2021-12-27T08:04:50Z","createdAt":"2021-12-01T13:39:15Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) jumps to score a goal with the head, being four metres away from the empty goal. Just before that, a defender (Team B) tries to play the ball, raises their leg to the head level and kicks the ball away. The defender does not touch the opponent, however, this action prevents the attacker from playing the ball for fear of injury. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The defender played in a dangerous manner and the referee awards an indirect free kick. If the referee decides that this offence denied the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the defender is sent off (red card).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":867,"publishDate":"2021-12-17T10:20:27Z","createdAt":"2021-12-01T12:33:16Z","question":"The referee has stopped play and awarded a free kick for Team A. After that, a substitute from Team B enters the field of play without the referee’s permission and protests at the referee's decision. What action does the referee take? ","answer":"The substitute receives a caution (yellow card) for each offence (entering without the referee’s permission and showing dissent) and therefore is sent off (red card). As the offences were committed when the ball was out of play, play is restarted according to the previous decision (free kick for Team A).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":863,"publishDate":"2021-12-16T08:38:10Z","createdAt":"2021-12-01T12:07:01Z","question":"While the ball is in play, a defender (Team A) and an attacker (Team B) fight with each other in Team A’s penalty area. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Both players must be sent off (red card) for violent conduct. If the referee decides that:
Team A player committed the offence first – penalty kick for Team B
Team B player committed the offence first – direct free kick for Team A
the two players committed the offences at the same time – penalty kick for Team B because Team A player committed the more serious offence in terms of the restart
The referee allows play to continue. The goalkeeper was allowed to handle the ball because it was not a deliberate kick to the goalkeeper as the ball was not originally intended to go to the goalkeeper.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":807,"publishDate":"2021-11-10T12:33:35Z","createdAt":"2021-09-17T09:15:22Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) runs with the ball into the opponents’ penalty area. A defender (Team B) challenges the attacker and gains possession of the ball without committing any offence. After that, the defender tries to shield the ball (which is within playing distance), extends their arms and strikes the attacker on the face with the elbow. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick to Team A. The sanction depends on the severity of the offence. If the defender:
was guilty of acting in a reckless manner – caution (yellow card)
was guilty of violent conduct – sending-off (red card)
The player is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. The assistant coach is sent off for deliberately leaving the technical area to act in a provocative manner. As the offences were committed when the ball was out of play, play will be restarted according to the previous decision (throw-in for Team A).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":802,"publishDate":"2021-10-19T08:15:34Z","createdAt":"2021-09-16T14:57:53Z","question":"The goalkeeper (Team A) leaves their penalty area because two attacking players (Team B) are running towards the goalkeeper’s goal. One attacking player tries to pass the ball to a team-mate who is not in an offside position. The goalkeeper deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm and intercepts the pass. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to Team B. The goalkeeper is sent off (red card) if the referee judges that the handball denied the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":788,"publishDate":"2021-10-14T07:38:58Z","createdAt":"2021-08-31T08:44:01Z","question":"After the referee has stopped play and awarded a free kick to Team A, an opponent (Team B player) picks the ball up and holds to prevent the free kick being taken. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"Team B player must be cautioned (yellow card) for delaying the restart of play. Play is restarted according to the previous decision (free kick).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":785,"publishDate":"2021-10-01T08:06:58Z","createdAt":"2021-08-26T07:24:33Z","question":"A defender (Team A) denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) by pulling an opponent’s shirt (Team B) outside the penalty area. The referee applies the advantage as the ball goes to another Team B player. After that, the same defender (Team A) becomes involved in play and challenges fairly for the ball (not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee allows play to continue as advantage for a DOGSO offence reduces the sanction to a caution (yellow card) and the subsequent challenge is not an offence. The defender must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":784,"publishDate":"2021-09-28T08:55:35Z","createdAt":"2021-08-30T14:10:40Z","question":"A defending player (Team A) bites an attacking player (Team B) inside the penalty area when the ball is in play. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards a penalty kick to Team B. The defending player (Team A) must be sent off (red card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":703,"publishDate":"2021-08-03T07:19:22Z","createdAt":"2021-06-07T13:17:39Z","question":"A goal has been scored by Team A and a player from Team B holds the ball to delay the restart of play (the kick-off). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The Team B player is cautioned (yellow card) if their action excessively delays the restart of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":705,"publishDate":"2021-06-30T15:40:20Z","createdAt":"2021-06-08T07:52:29Z","question":"A defender (Team A) pulls an opposing attacker’s shirt (Team B) and stops a promising attack 30 metres from the goal, close to the touchline. The referee stops play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a direct free kick to Team B. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":702,"publishDate":"2021-06-30T15:39:05Z","createdAt":"2021-06-07T13:15:55Z","question":"A defending team player deliberately handles the ball within their own penalty area to prevent a goal being scored. After that, the ball does not enter the goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The defending team player is sent off (red card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":701,"publishDate":"2021-06-30T15:36:24Z","createdAt":"2021-06-07T13:13:05Z","question":"A player falls to the ground in the middle of the field and pretends to have been fouled (simulation). The ball remains on the field and the referee stops play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":674,"publishDate":"2021-06-30T15:35:42Z","createdAt":"2021-04-29T13:45:37Z","question":"A coach enters the referee review area when the referee undertakes an on-field review. What is the correct procedure?","answer":"The coach is cautioned (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":637,"publishDate":"2021-06-30T15:28:26Z","createdAt":"2021-03-23T09:19:38Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) kicks the ball when it is between Team B goalkeeper’s hand and the ground (inside Team B’s goal area). What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball so cannot be challenged. The referee awards a direct free kick to Team B to be taken from anywhere in the goal area. Any disciplinary sanction will depend whether the challenge was careless (no sanction/warning), reckless (caution/yellow card) or using excessive force (sending-off/red card).
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":101,"publishDate":"2021-06-30T12:29:37Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T08:57:39Z","question":"A player (Team A) enters the field of play without the required referee’s permission, interferes with play or an opponent in Team’s A penalty area and denies the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. How is play restarted? What is the sanction? ","answer":"A penalty kick will be awarded and the player sent off (red card, RC).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":653,"publishDate":"2021-06-23T06:11:11Z","createdAt":"2021-04-08T11:45:56Z","question":"A defender (Team A) starts holding an attacker (Team B) inside the penalty area and continues holding when the attacker tries to get free and leaves the penalty area. The attacker falls to the ground outside the penalty area. What is the correct decision? ","answer":"The referee awards a penalty kick for the holding offence inside the penalty area.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":654,"publishDate":"2021-06-16T07:00:04Z","createdAt":"2021-04-08T11:49:13Z","question":"A defender (Team A) denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) by a challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent (Team B) outside the penalty area. The referee allows play to continue as the ball goes to another Team B player who gains the possession, takes a shot and scores a goal. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The goal is awarded. Although the referee played advantage there were two offences: DOGSO and 'serious foul play'.
The offending player (Team A) is sent off (red card) because the referee must punish the more serious offence (serious foul play) and for this offence playing advantage does not change the disciplinary sanction.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":631,"publishDate":"2021-04-16T10:12:58Z","createdAt":"2021-03-09T15:07:23Z","question":"When the ball is in play, a player (Team A) who is already off the field of play (having been treated for an injury) strikes the opposing coach (Team B). The referee stops play. What is the sanction? How is play restarted?","answer":"A player is sent off (red card) for violent conduct. Play is restarted with a direct free kick to Team B on the boundary line nearest to where the offence occurred.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":628,"publishDate":"2021-04-15T09:22:14Z","createdAt":"2021-03-09T14:57:23Z","question":"The referee stops play and cautions a player who committed a reckless challenge. The offending player shows dissent from this decision. What action does the referee take?","answer":"The player receives a second caution (yellow card) and is sent off (red card). Play restarts with a direct free kick to the opposing team from the place where the reckless challenge was committed (dissent occurred when the ball was not in play and does not change the restart).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":581,"publishDate":"2021-03-12T10:56:14Z","createdAt":"2021-01-26T10:30:27Z","question":"A player enters the field of play without the required permission and then commits a reckless tackle. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The player receives a caution (yellow card, YC) for each offence (entering without the referee’s permission and the reckless tackle) and therefore is sent off (red card, RC). Where two separate YC offences are committed, even in close proximity, they should result in two YCs. Play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":586,"publishDate":"2021-03-11T10:16:51Z","createdAt":"2021-01-26T10:57:34Z","question":"Before the corner kick is taken (ball out of play), the referee notices that a defending team player spits at an opponent. What is the correct decision?","answer":"A defending team player is sent off (red card). Play is restarted according to the previous decision (corner kick) because free kicks and penalty kicks can only be awarded for offences committed when the ball is in play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":583,"publishDate":"2021-03-09T08:47:26Z","createdAt":"2021-01-26T10:44:33Z","question":"When the ball is in play, a substitute attempts to strike an assistant referee outside the field of play. What is the correct decision?","answer":"Play is stopped by the referee and restarted with a direct free kick to the opposing team on the boundary line nearest to where the offence occurred. The substitute is sent off (red card) for violent conduct.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":585,"publishDate":"2021-02-26T08:24:53Z","createdAt":"2021-01-26T10:54:26Z","question":"An attacker (Team A) takes a shot on goal. A goalkeeper (Team B) catches the ball and then places it on the ground. After that, the attacker runs towards the ball and the goalkeeper picks it up. What is the correct decision?","answer":"An indirect free kick is awarded to Team A if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player. There is no disciplinary sanction.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":523,"publishDate":"2021-01-28T11:51:15Z","createdAt":"2020-11-30T16:07:09Z","question":"An attacking player in an offside position receives the ball, moves into the penalty area and falls to the ground (pretends to have been fouled). The assistant referee raises the flag and indicates offside. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the defending team where the offside offence occurred. The act of 'simulation' is unsporting behaviour and must be punished with a caution (yellow card) regardless of whether it is successful or not, or if play is stopped for another reason.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":538,"publishDate":"2021-01-22T08:43:39Z","createdAt":"2020-12-10T09:51:00Z","question":"A player (Team A) commits a second cautionable (yellow card) offence in the same match which is a reckless challenge. The referee applies advantage because Team B has a clear opportunity to score a goal, however, the offending player (Team A) becomes involved in play and interferes with an opponent from Team B. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee stops play, shows the player (Team A) a second yellow card and a red card. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to Team B where the player (Team A) became involved in play/interfered with an opponent.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":522,"publishDate":"2021-01-04T07:25:30Z","createdAt":"2020-11-30T16:00:50Z","question":"Before a corner kick is taken, a defending team player holds an opponent and impedes his/her movement inside the penalty area. What is the correct decision?","answer":"The referee must warn any player holding an opponent before the ball is in play and caution the offending player (yellow card) if the holding continues. A penalty kick cannot be awarded because the ball is not in play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":524,"publishDate":"2020-12-21T13:30:39Z","createdAt":"2020-11-30T16:10:50Z","question":"When the ball is in play, a player (Team A) strikes an opposing substitute (Team B) outside the field of play. The referee stops play and sends off the player for violent conduct. How will play be restarted?","answer":"Play is restarted with a direct free kick to Team B on the boundary line nearest to where the offence occurred (or a penalty kick if this is within the offender’s penalty area).
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":497,"publishDate":"2020-12-11T07:22:24Z","createdAt":"2020-10-29T12:09:50Z","question":"A substitute kicks one of the additional balls onto the field of play. This interference stops a promising attack as the additional ball hits the match ball and the opposing team loses possession. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Play is stopped and restarted with a direct free kick (or a penalty kick) where the additional ball struck the match ball. The substitute is cautioned (yellow card).
","sectionOrder":5},{"id":493,"publishDate":"2020-11-27T11:23:28Z","createdAt":"2020-10-29T11:44:33Z","question":"The referee awards a free kick for a foul challenge but does not decide to caution (yellow card, YC) or send off (red card, RC) the offending player. An assistant coach of the opposing team excessively gestures for a card. What disciplinary action should the referee take? ","answer":"The assistant coach is cautioned and shown the yellow card.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":487,"publishDate":"2020-11-17T09:16:38Z","createdAt":"2020-10-26T10:57:30Z","question":"A defending player (Team A) denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by pulling an opponent’s shirt (Team B) outside the penalty area. The referee allows play to continue as the ball goes to another Team B player who gains the possession, takes a shot on goal and misses the opportunity (the ball goes over the crossbar). What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The goal kick is awarded to Team A. As the referee played advantage for a DOGSO offence and no other sending-off (red card) offence was committed (neither serious foul play nor violent conduct) the offending player (Team A) is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":488,"publishDate":"2020-11-05T07:33:14Z","createdAt":"2020-10-26T10:59:17Z","question":"A goalkeeper catches the ball in their penalty area after his/her team-mate blocked a shot from an opponent. Is this penalised with an indirect free kick to the opposing team? ","answer":"No, the referee allows play to continue because the ball was not deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":377,"publishDate":"2020-08-24T13:29:19Z","createdAt":"2020-07-23T06:31:52Z","question":"A goalkeeper touches the ball with the hand/arm inside their penalty area after receiving the ball directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The goalkeeper is not permitted to handle the ball – an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team but there is no disciplinary sanction.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":361,"publishDate":"2020-08-14T07:31:57Z","createdAt":"2020-06-19T07:01:15Z","question":"Two players from different teams commit an offence at the same time: a player from Team A challenges for the ball in a reckless manner; a player from Team B strikes an opponent with excessive force. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"Both players must receive the appropriate disciplinary sanction:
caution (yellow card) for a reckless challenge
sending-off (red card) for violent conduct
Play is restarted with a direct free kick for Team A because the player from Team B committed the more serious offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":360,"publishDate":"2020-08-07T13:17:58Z","createdAt":"2020-07-09T09:16:58Z","question":"During the match, while the ball is in play, a coach leaves their team’s technical area a number of times but does not enter the field of play nor the opposing team's technical area. What disciplinary action might the referee take? ","answer":"The coach is:
warned for occasionally leaving the technical area without committing another offence
cautioned (yellow card) for clearly/persistently not respecting the confines of the technical area
sent off (red card) for deliberately leaving the technical area to show dissent towards a match official or act in a provocative manner
The player (Team A) must be cautioned (yellow card, YC) when play next stops. The Laws state that the referee punishes the more serious offence when more than one offence occurs at the same time. Thus, if a promising attack is stopped (SPA) by a reckless challenge then the YC is for the reckless challenge and not SPA.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":318,"publishDate":"2020-07-23T07:43:33Z","createdAt":"2020-06-18T13:59:04Z","question":"During the match, while the ball is in play, a coach enters the technical area of the opposing team. The referee stops play. What is the sanction? How is play restarted?","answer":"If the coach enters the opposing technical area:
in an aggressive or confrontational manner – the coach is sent off (red card)
in a non-confrontational manner – the coach is cautioned (yellow card).
Play is restarted with a dropped ball.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":263,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T10:04:29Z","createdAt":"2020-05-20T12:13:12Z","question":"The referee has stopped play and awarded a direct free kick to the Team A. The offending player (Team B) has been cautioned (YC), however, one of the players (Team A) approaches the referee and gestures for a red card. What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"The player (Team A) receives the YC for showing dissent from the referee’s decision. As this offence occurs when the ball is not in play, the restart cannot be changed so play is restarted with the direct free kick for Team A.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":264,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T10:01:20Z","createdAt":"2020-05-20T12:14:58Z","question":"A player appears to take a throw-in but suddenly leaves the ball to a team-mate. Is the player’s behaviour sanctioned?","answer":"The referee will caution the player (yellow card, YC) if the player’s behaviour is considered to be delaying the restart of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":295,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:51:10Z","createdAt":"2020-05-27T07:29:50Z","question":"A player touches the ball with their shoulder. What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"This is not a handball offence. For the purposes of determining handball offences, the boundary between the shoulder and the arm is defined as the bottom of the armpit.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":294,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:50:59Z","createdAt":"2020-05-27T07:28:48Z","question":"A defending team player holds an attacking team player inside the penalty area when the ball is in play. Is it penalised by the referee?","answer":"According to the definition in the Glossary, a holding offence occurs only when a player’s contact with an opponent’s body or equipment impedes the opponent’s movement.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":251,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:45:24Z","createdAt":"2020-05-13T14:18:59Z","question":"A goalkeeper takes a goal kick. After the ball is in play, the goalkeeper handles the ball inside their penalty area (before it touches another player) and denies the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. What is the referee’s decision if the advantage cannot be aplied?","answer":"An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. If the goalkeeper deliberately plays the ball a second time at a restart and denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the goalkeeper must be sent off (red card, RC) even if the touch is with the hand/arm.
","sectionOrder":1},{"id":250,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:45:11Z","createdAt":"2020-05-13T14:17:45Z","question":"A defending team player interferes with a promising attack. The attacking team retains possession of the ball and the referee plays advantage and allows play to continue. Does the referee take a disciplinary action against the defending team player when the ball is next out of play? ","answer":"No, the defending team player is not cautioned (YC). If the referee plays advantage for a DOGSO offence, the sending-off (RC) becomes a YC, so to be consistent, if the referee plays advantage for an offence which interfered with or stopped a promising attack, the YC is not issued.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":249,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:44:17Z","createdAt":"2020-05-13T14:16:11Z","question":"A defending team player stops a promising attack. The referee does not start the disciplinary sanction procedure, and the attacking team takes a quick free kick and has a clear goal-scoring opportunity. What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"The referee allows play to continue. The defending team player is not cautioned (YC). If the referee allows a ‘quick’ free kick after a DOGSO offence, the (delayed) sending-off (RC) becomes a YC, so to be consistent, if the referee allows a ‘quick’ free kick after an offence which interfered with or stopped a promising attack, the (delayed) YC is not issued.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":222,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:42:42Z","createdAt":"2020-04-29T13:37:25Z","question":"While the ball is in play, a substitute strikes a substitute from the same team outside field of play. How is play restarted?\t","answer":"It is a dropped ball. A free kick can only be given if such an offence is committed by a player against an opposing player or a match official.
","sectionOrder":5},{"id":221,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:42:34Z","createdAt":"2020-04-29T13:26:47Z","question":"A defending player handles the ball in an attempt to prevent a goal being scored. After that, the ball enters the goal. What is the referee’s decision?","answer":"The referee will play advantage and award a goal. The defending player must be cautioned (yellow card, YC) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":212,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:41:26Z","createdAt":"2020-04-29T12:54:47Z","question":"A player commits a physical offence against the referee. How is play restarted?","answer":"A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team. If the offence occurred inside the offender's penalty area – it is a penalty kick.
","sectionOrder":5},{"id":211,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T09:41:20Z","createdAt":"2020-04-29T12:48:09Z","question":"A player entered the field of play without a permission and stopped a promising attack by kicking the ball (but not committing a foul). What is the referee's decision?","answer":"Play is restarted with a direct free kick where the interference occurred. The player receives two cautions (yellow cards) – one for illegally entering the field of play and the second for stopping a promising attack – and then is sent off (red card).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":194,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T08:23:39Z","createdAt":"2020-04-28T12:17:13Z","question":"A defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area. What is the referee's decision?","answer":"The referee must award a penalty kick.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":184,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T08:22:06Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T13:46:51Z","question":"A player is guilty of insulting gestures against spectators. What is the sanction?","answer":"The offending player is sent off (red card, RC).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":175,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T08:21:04Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T13:25:17Z","question":"An attacker takes a shot on goal when a goalkeeper is drinking water from a bottle. The goalkeeper gets back into position and uses the bottle to parry the ball and save the shot on the goal line. What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"It is a penalty kick and the goalkeeper is sent off (red card, RC) for denying the opposing team a goal.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":160,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T08:19:21Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T12:35:43Z","question":"May the referee penalise a substitute who demands using video assistant referee (VAR)? What is the sanction?","answer":"A substitute who excessively shows the TV signal or enters the referee review area will be cautioned (yellow card, YC).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":153,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:59:22Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T11:59:36Z","question":"How can an offence be violent conduct if no contact is made?","answer":"In Law 12 ‘attempts to kick’ and ‘attempts to strike’ are offences – so attempted offences should be punished. Just because a player avoids an opponent’s punch or violent kick it does not mean that the offence is any less serious. Attempted violence must be punished as a sending-off (red card, RC) offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":149,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:58:56Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T11:51:04Z","question":"A player takes his shirt off to celebrate a goal and is cautioned (yellow card, YC). After the VAR review, the referee disallows the goal. Will the YC be cancelled?","answer":"The YC remains even if the goal is disallowed.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":148,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:58:51Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T11:46:59Z","question":"A substitute throws an object onto the field of play and it interferes with play, an opponent or match official. How is play restarted?","answer":"Play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick) where the object interfered with play or struck or would have struck the opponent, match official or the ball. The substitute should be cautioned (yellow card, YC) or sent off (red card, RC) depending on the severity of the offence.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":143,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:49:32Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T11:25:45Z","question":"A player handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal. What is the sanction?","answer":"The player must be cautioned (yellow card, YC) for unsporting behaviour whether or not the attempt is successful.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":134,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:48:28Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T10:27:30Z","question":"The referee awards a penalty kick. The VAR review shows that an attacking player was guilty of simulation (pretended to be fouled). What is the referee’s decision?\t","answer":"After the referee has reviewed the replay footage, the penalty kick is cancelled and an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team. The attacking player who was guilty of simulation must be cautioned (yellow card, YC) for unsporting behaviour.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":133,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:48:23Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T10:25:45Z","question":"A goalkeeper is in control of the ball which is between his/her hand and the ground. Is another player allowed to play the ball at this moment?","answer":"Yes, but only a team-mate. A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s). The sanction depends on whether the challenge is careless, reckless or excessive force.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":131,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:48:11Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T10:21:03Z","question":"A player shows dissent from referee’s decision. The referee stops play to issue the caution (yellow card, YC). How is play restarted? ","answer":"An indirect free kick is taken by the opposing team from the place where the offence occurred.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":117,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:46:33Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T09:49:53Z","question":"A player throws the ball at an opponent. What is the disciplinary sanction? ","answer":"If the action was reckless the referee will caution the offender for unsporting behaviour (yellow card, YC).
If the player used excessive force the referee will send off the offender for violent conduct (red card, RC).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":91,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:40:07Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:50:17Z","question":"A player, standing in own penalty area, uses offensive language against an opponent. What is the sanction? How is play restarted and why?","answer":"The offender will be sent off (RC). The referee will award an indirect free kick to the opposing team where the offence occurred (i.e. where the offender was standing). All verbal offences are penalised with an indirect free kick.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":80,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:38:31Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:27:19Z","question":"A player receives a caution (yellow card, YC) for simulation in the opponents’ penalty area. The incident is then reviewed by the referee and the VAR review clearly shows that the player was fouled. What is the referee’s decision? ","answer":"If the referee decides that it was not a simulation, the YC is cancelled and the penalty kick is awarded; if appropriate, the defender who committed the foul is shown the YC or RC.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":77,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:38:10Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:22:30Z","question":"A player kicks or carries the ball away after the referee has stopped play. What is the sanction?","answer":"The referee must caution (yellow card) the player if their action excessively delays the restart of play.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":76,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:38:04Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:20:53Z","question":"A player attempts to use brutality against an opposing player when not challenging for the ball but he/she does not touch the opponent. What is the sanction?","answer":"A player is guilty of violent conduct and will be sent off (red card, RC) even if the attempt is unsuccessful. Contact is not a requirement for the offence to be penalised and the player sanctioned.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":73,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:37:20Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:16:09Z","question":"A coach delays the restart of play. What disciplinary action may the referee take? ","answer":"The coach is cautioned (yellow card, YC) for delaying the restart of play by their own team. The coach is sent off (red card, RC) for delaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g. holding onto the ball, kicking the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":70,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:36:43Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:12:17Z","question":"One of the team officials deliberately throws a bottle onto the field of play. What is the referee’s decision if the offender cannot be identified?","answer":"Deliberately throwing or kicking an object onto the field of play is punished with a sending-off (red card, RC). The senior coach (usually the main coach) present in the technical area will receive the sanction – as the person responsible for other team officials.
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":68,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:36:25Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T13:07:00Z","question":"An attacking player (Team A) attempts to block the goalkeeper (Team B) when he/she is kicking the ball from his/her hands. What is the referee’s decision? What is the sanction?","answer":"The attacking player is penalised with an indirect free kick for preventing the goalkeeper from releasing or attempting to release the ball into play. This is not a mandatory cautionable (yellow card, YC) offence.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":64,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:01:00Z","createdAt":"2020-04-24T12:51:43Z","question":"A player plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave. What is the sanction?","answer":"If this action occurs when the ball is in play the referee will penalise the player with an indirect free kick and a caution (yellow card, YC).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":55,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T07:00:18Z","createdAt":"2020-04-23T12:56:25Z","question":"The goalkeeper is holding the ball in the outstretched open hand and an opposing player attempts to kick the ball. What are the restart and the sanction?","answer":"A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s). Play restarts with an indirect free kick (no contact) or a direct free kick (contact) – the offence is a caution (yellow card, YC) if it stops a promising attack or the challenge is reckless.
","sectionOrder":2},{"id":51,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T06:59:34Z","createdAt":"2020-04-23T12:47:29Z","question":"While the ball is in play the referee sees two players of the same team fighting with each other inside the field of play. What are the sanction and the restart? ","answer":"Both players must be sent off (red card, RC) for violent conduct. Physical offences against a team-mate inside the field of play are penalised by a direct free kick or a penalty kick (if committed within the offenders’ penalty area).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":168,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T06:53:56Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T12:58:02Z","question":"A player commits a cautionable (yellow card, YC) offence but the referee allows play to continue. After that, the same player commits a second YC offence. What is the referee's decision?","answer":"The player will be shown a yellow card, then the second yellow card and – as a result – the red card and sent off unless the first offence was 'interfering with or stopping a promising attack' in which case this offence does not receive a yellow card (as the advantage effectively restored the promising attack).
","sectionOrder":4},{"id":105,"publishDate":"2020-05-29T06:51:37Z","createdAt":"2020-04-27T09:09:07Z","question":"A player (Team A) has committed a second cautionable (yellow card, YC) offence in the same match. May the referee allow a quick free kick to be taken by Team B? When should the referee caution (YC) and send off (red card, RC) the offender? ","answer":"The referee may only allow a quick free kick if it creates a very good chance to score and the disciplinary procedure has not been started. The player is given the second YC and the RC the next time play stops unless he/she gets involved with play in which case the referee stops play at once, issues the second YC, sends the player off and restarts with an indirect free kick.
However, if the second offence was stopping a promising attack the yellow card is no longer applicable (as the quick free kick has effectively 'restored' the 'lost' promising attack).
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