What counts as a foul in football?
B · Beginner · What is a foul? · 6 of 17A foul is a kick, trip, push, charge, jump, strike or tackle against an opponent that the referee judges careless, reckless or with excessive force, or holding, impeding with contact, biting, spitting or handball. Any foul with contact gives a direct free kick, or a penalty kick if the defending team commits it in its own penalty area.
How it works
Direct free kick for these against an opponent, if careless, reckless or with excessive force:
- charging, jumping at, kicking or trying to kick, pushing, striking or trying to strike (including a head-butt), tackling or challenging, tripping or trying to trip.
Direct free kick for these, whatever the manner:
- a handball offence;
- holding an opponent;
- impeding an opponent with contact;
- biting or spitting at someone on the team lists or a match official;
- throwing an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official;
- touching the ball with a held object.
How serious it was decides the card:
| Manner | Meaning | Card |
|---|---|---|
| Careless | A lack of attention or care, or no precaution | None needed |
| Reckless | Ignoring the danger to, or consequences for, the opponent | Yellow |
| Excessive force | More force than needed, or endangering the opponent's safety | Red |
If an offence involves contact, it is a direct free kick.
Tricky cases
Is a shoulder charge legal?
Yes, if it is fair: shoulder to shoulder, with the arm close to the body, when the ball is within playing distance. A careless, reckless or forceful charge is a foul.
Is a tackle from behind always a foul?
No. It is a foul only if it is careless, reckless or uses excessive force, which is often the case because the tackler cannot see the ball well.
The defender got the ball first, then the player. Is it a foul?
It depends on the manner. Getting the ball does not make a challenge legal if it was careless, reckless or used excessive force.
The foul started outside the box and continued inside. Free kick or penalty?
For holding that starts outside the penalty area and continues inside, the referee must give a penalty kick.
Why the rule exists
It allows hard, fair challenges for the ball while protecting players from dangerous ones. The three levels let the punishment match the danger.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above | L12.1 |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 12.1 and 12.4 and the glossary ("Careless", "Reckless", "Charge"), in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).