Question Number: 9852

RE: Adult

MARK HETZER of BARBOURSVILLE, WV USA asks...

DOES A PLAYER WHO RECIEVES A YELLOW CARD HAVE TO LEAVE THE FIELD AND DOES THAT TEAM GET TO SUB FOR THAT PLAYER OR PLAY A MAN DOWN UNTIL NEXT POSSESION?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

According to the Laws of the Game a player who has been cautioned is not required to leave the field of play. The player is cautioned at a stoppage in play and a player may be replaced with a substitute at any stoppage in play. ..That said, under the myriad of different interpretations of the Laws of the Game that manifest themselves in this country sometimes a cautioned player must leave the field of play and, normally, is replaced by a substitute. To answer with any more accuracy would require researching every odd club in the country, something I don't have time to do. ..Suffice to say, a player cautioned in a match played under the Laws of the Game cannot be forced to leave the field of play. ..Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. Per FIFA rules, a substitution may be made at any stoppage of play. In soccer in the US, free subs are usually the norm and most states allow for subs at a caution but not a red.

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson

One large league in the U.S. that does require a cautioned player to be substituted is high school soccer. As mentioned by my colleagues, however, this is an exception to the normal rules worldwide.