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Red cards
Clear Line

Red cards

Red cards are most commonly issued for four types of incidents: denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, serious foul play, violent conduct and second yellow cards. We examine what referees must consider in their decision-making, and where VAR should intervene if required.
Overview Goal-scoring opportunity Serious foul play Violent conduct Second yellow Overview Goal-scoring opportunity Serious foul play Violent conduct Second yellow

Second yellow cards

A second yellow card results in an automatic sending-off, placing the decision within the VAR protocol. The review has a single, clear objective: preventing players being sent off for clearly incorrect second yellow cards, when video footage clearly shows that the caution should not have been given.

  • VAR cannot recommend a second yellow card that the referee did not show on the field.
  • VAR should not intervene if there is doubt about the nature of the offence.

The rationale

A second yellow card is unusual within the VAR protocol because the offence itself may be minor. It is the consequence which makes the incident reviewable.

A caution that should not have been given ends a player’s match and can play a role in determining the result of the match. This is why the protocol allows a VAR to overturn a sending-off. However, it does not work in reverse. VAR cannot suggest that the referee awards a second caution that they had chosen not to give.

What referees consider when making a decision

When assessing the severity of the offence:

  • Does contact between the players occur?
  • Does the player clearly exaggerate contact?
  • Can the challenge be deemed reckless?

When assessing tactical fouls:

  • Does the defender commit a foul?
  • Was the attacker guilty of simulation?

In cases of unsporting behaviour:

  • Was the referee in control of the incident?

✅ When VAR should recommend cancelling a second yellow card

In cases of physical offences: 

  • contact between the players does not occur.
  • the opponent clearly exaggerates the level of contact. (Video 1)
  • the foul was clearly not a reckless challenge. (Videos 2 & 3)

Video 1 – Second yellow: Incorrect card, player exaggerates minimal contact with face
Video 2 – Second yellow: Incorrect card, defender clearly plays ball followed by football contact
Video 3 – Second yellow: Defender clearly plays ball, VAR should intervene if second yellow

In cases of tactical fouls: 

  • no offence is committed.
  • the attacker is clearly guilty of simulation.

❌ When VAR should not intervene

If there is doubt whether: 

  • the offence should be considered careless or reckless.
  • the offence stops a promising attack or not.

A decision standing after a check is not VAR failing to act: it means that VAR found no clear and obvious error to correct.