An attacker in an offside position inside his opponents' penalty area but not involved in active play is violently struck by an opponent. What action does the referee take?

The opponent is sent off for violent conduct and a penalty kick is awarded.

A player who has left the field of play to receive treatment trips an opponent inside the field. What action does the referee take?

The player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and play is restarted with a direct free kick.

A goalkeeper standing inside his penalty area deliberately handles the ball just outside the penalty area. What action does the referee take?

He awards a direct free kick to the opposing team. If, in the opinion of the referee, the goalkeeper is also guilty of unsporting behaviour or denying an opponent an obvious goal- scoring opportunity, he would receive further appropriate sanction.

A player of the defending team, other than the goalkeeper, standing outside the penalty-area, deliberately handles the ball within the penalty-area. What action does the referee take?

A penalty kick is awarded. If, in the opinion of the referee, the player is also guilty of unsporting behaviour or denying a goal-scoring opportunity, he would also receive further appropriate sanction.

A player intentionally lies on the ball for an unreasonable length of time. What action does the referee take?

He stops play, cautions the player for unsporting behaviour and restarts play with an indirect free kick.

When the ball is about to be dropped within the penalty area, a defending player violently strikes an opponent before the ball touches the ground. What action does the referee take?

The player is sent off for violent conduct and play restarts with a dropped ball.

While the ball is in play, two players of the same team commit unsporting behaviour or violent conduct towards each other on the field of play. What action does the referee take?

The referee cautions them or sends them off and restarts play with an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

A player enters the field of play without receiving a signal from the referee and then deliberately handles the ball. What action does the referee take?

The player is cautioned for entering the field of play without the permission of the referee. Play is restarted with a direct free kick which punishes the more serious offence.

If, in the opinion of the referee, the player is also guilty of unsporting behaviour, by deliberately handling the ball, he is sent off for receiving a second caution in the same match.

A referee cautions a player who then apologises for his misconduct. Can the referee decide not to report the incident?

No. All cautions must be reported.

A player leaves the field of play while celebrating a goal. What action if any, does the referee take?

Celebrating a goal is an accepted part of football. A caution is only warranted if a player gives an excessive demonstration of jubilation (e.g. by jumping over the boundary fence, gesticulating at his opponents or spectators, ridiculing them by pointing to his shirt, removing his shirt or similar provocative action).

The goalkeeper controls the ball with his hands in the penalty area, and passes it to a teammate who is also within the penalty area. The latter miskicks the ball towards his own goal. The goalkeeper touches it with his hands but fails to stop it entering the goal. What action does the referee take?

The referee awards the goal.

The goalkeeper in his penalty area holds the ball in his hands then places it on the ground and takes it outside the penalty area. He then decides to re-enter the penalty area and touches the ball again with his hands. What action does the referee take?

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.

While the ball is in play, the goalkeeper strikes an opponent in the area enclosed by the goal line and the goal nets. What action does the referee take?

The referee stops play, sends off the goalkeeper and restarts play with a dropped ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.*

A penalty kick is not awarded as the area in which the incident occurred is not part of the field of play.

A player deliberately plays the ball with his arm in his own penalty area. What action does the referee take?

The referee awards a penalty kick. The offence of deliberate handball includes the illegal use of both hand or arm.

A goalkeeper holding the ball bounces it before he kicks it upfield. Is it an offence to bounce the ball?

No. In the spirit of the Law he would not be regarded as having released the ball from his possession.

A player, other than the goalkeeper, standing in his own penalty area holding a shinguard, hits the ball with his shinguard to prevent it entering the goal. What action does the referee take?

The referee awards a penalty kick and the player is sent off for preventing a goal. The shinguard is regarded as an extension of the player's hand.

What happens if, in a similar situation, the player in question is the goalkeeper?

The referee stops play, cautions the goalkeeper for unsporting behaviour and play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

While the ball is in play a player standing inside his own penalty area throws an object at an opponent standing outside the penalty area. What action does the referee take?

He stops play and sends off the player who threw the object for violent conduct. Play is restarted by a direct free kick to the opponents' team taken from the place where the offence occurred, i.e. where the object struck or would have struck the opponent.

A player throws an object e.g. footwear at a person seated in the technical area. What action does the referee take?

Play is stopped, the player is sent off for violent conduct and play is restarted with an indirect free kick taken from where the object was thrown.

While the ball is in play, a substitute throws an object e.g. footwear at a player of the opposing team. What action does the referee take?

Play is stopped and the substitute is sent off for violent conduct. Play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.*

A player running with the ball sees a defender immediately in front of him and runs off the field of play to continue playing the ball. The opponent holds him beyond the touch line to prevent him continuing his run. What action does the referee take?

Play is stopped and the opponent is cautioned for unsporting behaviour. Play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.*

A player standing in his own penalty area strikes the referee. What action does the referee take?

Play is stopped and the player is sent off for violent conduct. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the offence occurred*

Is it permitted for a referee to show a red card to a substitute to indicate he must leave the technical area and go to the changing room, whether or not he has taken part in the match, for his use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures?

Yes. All players and substitutes come under the jurisdiction of the referee whether they are on the field of play or not. The use of the red card is to give a clear indication that a sanction is being taken.

A player is charged in a fair manner but the ball is not within playing distance. What action should the referee take?

If the referee considers the charge to have unfairly impeded the progress of an opponent an indirect free kick is awarded. However, if the referee considers the charge on the opponent to be careless, a direct free kick will be awarded.