Red card

From ArticleWorld

A red card is awarded in the sport of football if a serious infringement has taken place. If a referee awards a red card the offending player is immediately dismissed from the field of play.

Introduction and Implementation

English referee Ken Aston introduced the system of using cards to visibly show a caution or dismissal, he struck upon the idea whilst driving, noticing the traffic light system and considering it’s use in football. The system was first used during the 1970 world cup staged in Brazil. Red cards can be awarded for many reasons, all of which show a serious breach of the standard football rules. The rules regarding the awarding of a red card are part of Law 12 designed by the International Football Association Board. These rules can be divided into these basic groups:

1. Serious Foul Play – when a player cynically challenges another player with malice
2. Deliberate Hand Ball – If an outfield player is perceived to have deliberately handled the ball they must be dismissed, this is also true of goalkeepers outside of their area.
3. Foul and Abusive Language – If a player uses language that is not appropriate or is deeply offensive towards another player, an official or even the crowd they should be dismissed.
4. Spitting
5. Raising the Arms to Another Player or Violent Conduct– This could be a punch, a slap or even a heavy push, all are punishable by dismissal.
6. Professional Foul – Denying a player a clear goal scoring opportunity by committing a foul.

Other Punishable Offences

A player may also receive a red card if they are issued two yellow cards during the match. The yellow card is used as a caution but if the player should continue to flaunt the rules then a second yellow may be issued resulting in instant dismissal. Players may also get sent off for incidents away from the actual match, for example players may remonstrate too virulently during the half time break or cause a scuffle in the tunnel, all are potentially punishable. Managers are also bound to the rules of the game, if they are caught remonstrating with referees or other officials or flaunting other rules like exiting the managerial area they may also be sent away from the pitch. Red cards may be produced if players on the same team fight, a famous example occurred during a Newcastle United match in the 2004/5 season when Newcastle players Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were both dismissed for fighting with one another.