What gets a player sent off in football?
B · Beginner · Yellow cards, red cards and misconduct · 9 of 17A red card sends a player off for the rest of the match, and the team plays one short: a player sent off after kick-off cannot be replaced. It is shown for serious foul play, violent conduct, biting or spitting, offensive language or gestures, denying an obvious goal-scoring chance in some cases, and a second yellow card.
How it works
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off for:
- denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with a deliberate handball (except a goalkeeper in their own penalty area);
- denying one with a non-deliberate handball outside their own penalty area;
- denying one with a foul, in most cases (see Denying a goal-scoring chance);
- serious foul play: a challenge for the ball that endangers an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality;
- violent conduct: excessive force or brutality when not challenging for the ball, or deliberately striking someone on the head or face, unless the force is negligible;
- biting or spitting at someone;
- offensive, insulting or abusive language or actions;
- a second caution in the same match;
- entering the video operation room.
A player sent off must leave the area around the field and the technical area.
Tricky cases
Can a team replace a player who has been sent off?
No, not after kick-off. Before kick-off, a named player sent off can be replaced by a named substitute.
Is a two-footed tackle always a red card?
No. It is a red card when it endangers the opponent or uses excessive force, which a lunge with both feet often does. The referee judges it.
Can VAR overturn a red card?
Yes. A clear and obvious error on a direct red card, or a red that came from a second yellow given in plain error, can be reviewed.
Why the rule exists
It removes players whose actions endanger others or destroy a clear scoring chance unfairly, and punishes the team by leaving it short.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above | L3.6; L12.4 |
| Matches with VAR | Red cards and mistaken identity can be reviewed | VAR protocol 2 c, d |
| Further bans | Set by each competition | Not covered |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Laws 3.6 and 12.4, and the VAR protocol, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).