The FIFA yellow card rules are apparent regarding suspensions imposed on players who receive both yellow and red cards throughout their soccer career, especially between the group stage and semi-finals.
Players can receive a yellow card for multiple reasons. Many players should take the rules of soccer more seriously. Referees show a yellow card to designate that a soccer player or an official has been cautioned. The referee will take note of the details for the offender’s caution, the exact time, and the reason why the player received a yellow card.
What Is a Yellow Card in Soccer?
A yellow card is considered a cautionary warning for any player who is reckless, misconducted, careless, or if they use excessive force. The yellow card rule applies to all players, substituted players, or any substitutes. Yellow cards are also common in other sports, such as cricket, rugby, and volleyball.
What Are the FIFA Yellow Card Rules?
According to the FIFA World Cup Guidelines, if a soccer player receives two cautions in two separate games, the player will automatically be suspended from their team’s succeeding game. If players receive two yellow cards at the World Cup, it results in a suspension for one game.
If the player gets two yellow cards in the same game, the player must be sent off and serve the suspension in the next game. Players must also be suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in separate matches.
When players have a yellow card in their history, they will likely be more cautious about handling certain situations during a game so they can participate in their tournament. The number of yellow cards a player receives and their offense will ultimately determine the action, which is different depending on the competition.
How Many Yellow Cards Result in a Red Card?
Both American and overseas soccer players can only receive two yellow cards per game. If the player gets two yellow cards for unsporting or reckless behavior, the player will receive a red card and be sent off the field of play. Depending on the player’s behavior, they can even be subjected to additional sanctions besides suspension.
How Long a Yellow Card Lasts in Soccer
A yellow card will stay with the player for the entire game and will be added to their record. It will carry over until the quarterfinals when the players’ records are cleared, and the players can start over.
In the World Cup, yellow cards carry over from the group stage into the Round of 16. If one player receives a yellow card in the group stage and another in the 16th round, they are no longer eligible to participate in their team’s matchup for the quarterfinal.
Players with the Most Yellow Cards in the History of Soccer
Yellow cards have been a part of modern soccer for over 50 years, beginning in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Unfortunately, some players have become too familiar with the yellow card concept. Many players received their yellow cards because they let their emotions get the best by allowing opposing team members to infuriate them.
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is a Spanish professional soccer player who plays center-back for Paris Saint-Germain and the Spain national team. He has the most yellow cards in history, earning 269 yellow cards. He has also been sent off the field 28 times at the club level.
Gerardo Torrado
Gerardo Torrado is a former Mexican professional soccer player who played as a defensive midfielder for Cruz Azul and is the current director of sports for the Mexican Football Federation. His nickname is “El Borrego,” which means “the sheep” because he has bushy hair.
He is typically rough on the field but has good passing abilities and ball recovery. Since he is so aggressive, he has received multiple yellow and red cards. He has received 228 yellow and 160 red cards throughout his career.
Dani Alves
Dani Alves is a Brazilian professional soccer player and one of his generation’s best fullbacks. He has multiple honors at super clubs, such as Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Barcelona. He has received 220 yellow cards throughout his soccer career.
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso is a former Spanish professional soccer player who played central midfielder. He is currently the manager of the Segunda División B Club Real Sociedad B. While he is a highly talented player, he has received 197 yellow cards throughout his career.
FAQs
When can players get a yellow card in soccer?
A player can get a yellow card in soccer if they:
- Disrespect the opponents
- Show dissent by publicly protesting or disagreeing with a referee’s decision
- Play unsafely or recklessly
- Enter or reenter the playing field without the permission of a referee
- Purposely leaving the playing field without a referee’s permission
- Have unsporting behavior
- Improperly celebrate, such as removing their shirt or setting foot in spectator areas
- Have any offense that interferes with or ends a promising attack
- Does not respect the 13-foot distance between the dropped balls, such as corner kicks, throw-ins, free kicks, and goal kicks
When can team officials get a yellow card in soccer?
If the offender cannot be identified, the team’s senior coach will receive a caution. Team officials can also receive a yellow card for other offenses, such as:
- Delaying the play’s restart by their team
- Disrespecting their team’s technical area
- Purposely entering the opposing team’s technical area
- Showing gestures that disrespect the match officials, such as clapping sarcastically
- Entering the referee’s review area
- Acting provocative or inappropriately
- Persistent unacceptable behavior
- Constantly gesturing for a yellow or red card
- Excessively showing the TV signal for a VAR review
- Displaying disrespect for the game
- Dissent by words or actions, such as kicking a bottle or throwing another object
Do yellow cards reset?
Yes, yellow cards reset for all players to zero when the quarter finals are finished.
Final Thoughts
While yellow cards are considered a caution in the rules of soccer, it is wise for soccer players to try their best to avoid getting a yellow card at all costs. Having more than one yellow card does have consequences and will lead to being sent off the field or a suspension.
