In sports, various rules and regulations are established to ensure fair play and transparency among all participants. Players are expected to adhere to these guidelines, and any violations result in penalties. Penalty cards are one of the most common tools used to enforce these rules, signaling whether a player receives a warning or is expelled from the game. These cards are not limited to players but can also be directed towards coaches or team officials. The referees usually raise the cards visibly, making the decision clear to all players, spectators, and other officials. The color and shape of the penalty cards indicate the type and severity of the infraction, with yellow and red cards being the most widely recognized, typically symbolizing warnings and expulsions, respectively.

History of Penalty Cards

The concept of using colored, neutral-language cards to communicate the referee’s intentions originated in football, introduced by English referee Ken Aston. Aston was appointed to the FIFA Referees’ Committee and was responsible for all referees at the 1966 World Cup in the United Kingdom. During the quarterfinal match between England and Argentina at Wembley Stadium, reports emerged that referee Rudolf Kreitlein had warned English players Bobby and Jack Charlton and sent off Argentine Antonio Rattín, but his decisions were not clear during the match. After the game, England’s manager, Alf Ramsey, sought clarification from a FIFA representative. This incident prompted Aston to consider ways to make referee decisions clearer to both players and spectators. He realized that a color-coding system, similar to traffic lights (yellow meaning “caution” and red meaning “stop”), could overcome language barriers and clearly indicate whether a player was warned or sent off. As a result, yellow cards were used to signify a warning, and red cards indicated expulsion. The penalty cards were first used at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, and since then, they have been adopted in other sports, with each sport adapting the idea according to its nature and rules.

Common Uses of Penalty Cards:

Yellow Cards:

Yellow penalty cards are used in various sports, generally signaling a warning or temporary suspension for a player’s conduct. Examples include:

• Football (Soccer): In football, a yellow card is shown by the referee to signal a formal warning to a player. The referee records the details of the player’s offense in a small notebook, and the warned player can continue playing. However, if the player receives a second yellow card in the same match (indicated by showing the yellow card again followed by a red card), they are sent off and must leave the field immediately without a replacement. Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and used by FIFA, outlines the types of offenses and misconduct that may result in a yellow card. These offenses can apply to players, substitutes, or team officials. Typically, a player is suspended for one match (though it could be more in certain circumstances) after accumulating two yellow cards in a match. In most tournaments, accumulating a certain number of yellow cards over multiple matches leads to the player being suspended for a specific number of subsequent games, with the exact number depending on the tournament’s regulations.
• Athletics: In athletics, a yellow card serves as a personal warning in both track and field events. If the athlete receives another yellow card, they may be disqualified. Recently, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) eliminated warnings for false starts, leading to immediate disqualification, except in combined events like the decathlon, where a yellow/black diagonal card is used to warn of a false start. As of 2012, the rules have been amended, and the maximum penalty is now a yellow card.
• Badminton: In badminton, a yellow card is given to a player or doubles pair as a warning for breaching the game’s rules. A yellow card can only be given once to a player or pair in a match, with subsequent infractions resulting in a red or black card.
• Ice Hockey: In ice hockey, the yellow card indicates a warning to the entire team for technical errors, such as improper execution of goal throws, free throws, or blocking a player without the puck. Subsequent technical errors by the same team result in a penalty indicated by a white card.
• Equestrian: In equestrian sports, yellow cards can be issued during events sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) for the abuse of horses or inappropriate behavior by the rider towards the judges. Examples of horse abuse include riding a visibly lame horse, riding an exhausted horse, excessive use of the whip, or dangerous riding. Riders have the right to reject yellow cards, but in any case, yellow cards lead to disciplinary hearings, which may result in disqualification and fines.
• Fencing: In fencing, the yellow card indicates a warning to the fencer, which remains in effect for the rest of the match. In some cases, any hit scored by the offending fencer may also be annulled. Yellow cards are awarded for “Level 1” infractions, such as turning one’s back on an opponent, covering the target area, refusing to obey the referee, or disrupting the competition.
• Field Hockey: In field hockey, yellow cards indicate a temporary suspension for a minimum of 5 minutes, with the length of the suspension determined by the referee. A player can receive two yellow cards for different infractions during the same match. However, the suspension time should be significantly longer with each additional yellow card. When the same offense that led to the yellow card is repeated, a more severe penalty should be applied instead of issuing another yellow card. A yellow card may be shown to a specific player or the entire team for misconduct.
• Handball: In handball, a yellow card signals a warning and can be given to a player or team official for unsportsmanlike behavior or for actions primarily directed at the opponent rather than the ball. The rules of the International Handball Federation (IHF) also allow referees to use discretion in awarding yellow cards outside these situations.
• Volleyball: Under the rules of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), a yellow card is the second stage of formal warning for a player, players, or coach for minor misconduct, with the first being a verbal warning recorded but without immediate consequences. No points or penalties are awarded at this stage. If the misconduct continues, a red card is shown, which means expulsion. All these infractions are recorded.
• Water Polo: In water polo, yellow cards are given as an official warning for disrespectful behavior by the coach, individual players, or the entire bench.
• Table Tennis: According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) regulations, the referee shows a yellow card to warn the player if they misbehave. If the player commits another offense, one point is awarded to the opponent and two points for a subsequent offense. A yellow card can also be shown to the coach if they offer illegal advice.

Red Cards:

Red cards are used in various sports and typically signify a severe violation, often resulting in the player’s permanent removal from the game, commonly known as a dismissal or ejection. In many sports, the expelled player cannot be replaced, putting the team at a numerical disadvantage. Examples include:

• Football (Soccer): In football, the red card is shown to signal the expulsion of a player. The player who is sent off must immediately leave the field and may not participate in the remainder of the game. The expelled player cannot be substituted, meaning their team must continue the match with one fewer player. A red card is shown for serious offenses such as violent conduct or deliberately blocking an opponent’s clear goal-scoring opportunity. A player who receives two yellow cards for further minor offenses is also shown a red card and sent off.
• Athletics: In athletics, a red card indicates that the athlete is disqualified from the competition after receiving two yellow cards. A red/black card is issued for a false start.
• Badminton: In badminton, a red card is given to a player or pair for subsequent offenses after receiving a yellow card. It is considered a fault, which means the opposing side is awarded a point. After the second red card, a player or pair may be disqualified with a black card at the tournament referee’s discretion.
• Ice Hockey: In ice hockey, the red card indicates a match penalty, meaning a player has been ejected for the remainder of the game and cannot be replaced. Red card infractions include physically attacking an opponent or using abusive language. The coach or substitute may also receive a red card.
• Cricket: In cricket, it was announced that by October 2017, cricket umpires would have the authority to issue red cards to expel players for offenses such as threatening the umpire, physically assaulting a player, umpire, official, or spectator, or any other act of violence.
• Fencing: In fencing, the red card is used to signal that a fencer has committed an infraction warranting a penalty.
• Field Hockey: A red card in field hockey results in the player’s permanent expulsion from the game, and they cannot participate further. The player cannot be substituted. Unlike other penalty cards in field hockey, the red card is never given to the captain for team misconduct. In addition to its color, red cards in field hockey are often circular in shape.
• Handball: A red card in handball indicates the player’s disqualification for an offense such as unsportsmanlike conduct, dangerous play, or receiving a two-minute suspension. The red card prevents the player from participating in the remainder of the match and reduces the number of players available to the team. The red card also carries a two-minute team suspension, meaning the team cannot replace the disqualified player until the suspension period is over.
• Rugby: In rugby, a red card results in the player being sent off the field permanently, and the team must continue with one less player.
• Volleyball: In volleyball, a red card signals that a player, players, or coach has been expelled from the game for repeated misconduct. The first stage is a verbal warning, followed by a yellow card. A red card can also indicate a serious offense or a second yellow card offense, resulting in expulsion from the match and the team playing with one fewer player for the remainder of the match.
• Water Polo: In water polo, a red card is issued for serious offenses or for the coach’s second misconduct. When a coach receives a red card, they must leave the competition area immediately, and a replacement coach or assistant must take over.

Other Colors of Penalty Cards:

Green Card:
Green cards are less common but have specific meanings in various sports:

• Football (Soccer): In certain competitions, a green card indicates fair play and sportsmanship rather than a penalty. It has also been used to reward positive behavior, although it is not widely adopted.
• Athletics: In athletics, the green card signifies that no offense occurred, used to indicate a clean start after a false start has been ruled out.
• Field Hockey: In field hockey, a green card signifies a two-minute suspension for minor misconduct. The team plays with one fewer player during this period. Repeated offenses may lead to a yellow or red card.
• Badminton: In badminton, a green card indicates an official warning to a player or pair. It is the first stage of disciplinary action and precedes the yellow and red cards.
• Handball: In handball, a green card signals a timeout requested by the team. The card is placed on the officials’ table, and the match is paused.
• Water Polo: In water polo, a green card indicates a timeout called by the coach.

White Card:
White cards are used in a few sports, primarily signaling a suspension or specific technical infraction:

• Ice Hockey: In ice hockey, a white card indicates a two-minute suspension for minor technical infractions.
• Handball: In handball, a white card is used to signal a technical time-out or suspension. The use of white cards varies depending on the competition.

Black Card:
Black cards are relatively rare and usually indicate the most severe penalty, resulting in expulsion from the competition or event:

• Badminton: In badminton, a black card signifies disqualification from the match, typically after receiving a yellow and red card for previous infractions.
• Equestrian: In equestrian sports, a black card results in the rider’s expulsion from the competition for severe misconduct, such as abusing the horse.