Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

Types of Free Kicks

Making Foul Decisions - Direct Free Kicks (DFKs)
As Referees do we take into account if the player meant to commit the foul, or any other action?

- NO WE DO NOT - As referees we only judge the action. If a defender trips an attacker then we call a foul. We don’t judge intent.

Indirect Free Kick Offenses Committed by the Goalkeeper

Use this process to help you decide if a foul has been committed

Careless = No Misconduct

Reckless = Caution (Yellow Card)

Excessive Force = Send Off (Red Card)

Definitions of the three levels of fouls

Advanced Considerations for Misconduct
Use these considerations to help decide how severe the foul is

What types of Misconduct (Cards) are there for players?

Delaying the restart of play
Dissent by word or action
Entering or Reentering the field or leaving the field without the Referees permission
Failure to respect the distance when play is restarted
Persistent offenses
Unsporting Behavior***
Entering The Referee Review Area
Excessively using the Review signal

Denying the opposing team a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity by a handball offense
Denying the opposing team a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity by a foul
Serious Foul Play
Biting or spitting at someone
Violent Conduct
Using Offensive, insulting or abusive language or actions