Question Number: 32091

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/11/2017

RE: other Adult

Soccer Fan of Kampala, Kampala District Uganda asks...

What is a straight red card?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
There are seven sending off offence in the Laws of the Game.
These are
# denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)
# denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick (unless as outlined below).
# serious foul play
# spitting at an opponent or any other person
# violent conduct
# using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
# receiving a second caution in the same match
The term straight red card refers to situations where the referee issues just one card and it relates to the first six offences on the above list. In the last sending off offence listed there are three cards issued that is two yellow cards followed by a red card. The player first gets a yellow card and if he commits a second cautionable offence he receives a second yellow card plus a red card. A player on a caution can also be send off for a straight red card offence. Most typical straight red cards are for serious foul play and violent conduct followed by denying a goal or goal scoring opportunity
In summary it is a term used to describe a sending off offence where only one card is issued, a red card.