Crime and Punishment

Right so the next step my dad took with my all those years ago, was to explain, that in football, like in day to day life, there are consequences for breaking the rules. Now in football there is no 5 minutes on the naughty step, however there are always consequences to a players misdemeaners.

On the pitch - There are warnings, yellow cards and red cards handed out by the referee to players who break the rules.

Warnings - similar to tellings off when your a child, you get told not to do that again or there will be consequences.

Yellow Cards - normally for minor rule breaks or for when you just dont listen to your warnings. These are your final warning.

These are the sort of incidents you can get a yellow card for -

• Being unsporting
• Dissent - things such as swearing and throwing the ball away when a decision doesnt go your way.
• Constantly break the minor rules - a few too many warnings
• Delaying the goal-kicks, free kicks and throw-ins - time wasting, often done when your team is winning.
• Not being far enough away from a free-kick or corner
• Coming onto the pitch without being told you can 
• And of course, leaving the pitch without being told you can  

Red Cards - Two yellows equals a red, which means you have been sent off, and its a nice early bath for you, and one less player for your team. It also results in a suspension, which is the equivalent of being grounded for a week or two.

You can also get a red card for things such as:

• Dangerous play - where you intentionally or accidently hurt another player.
• Any other violent act - hitting, kicking or hurting another player.
• Spitting - just ewww
• Deliberate handball - unless of course you are the goalkeeper, or if you are him, you are outside your area.
• Stopping a clear goalscoring oppertunity with a foul - otherwise known as a proffessional foul.

http://www.skysports.com

This would be considered dangerous play, by the Wolves player, Karl Henry, (the one in orange)

                                     

                                                http://www.depers.nl/beeld/

And this, by Luis Suarez (the one in  is clearly a great display of violent conduct, as decides to bite an opponent

Off the pitch - The governing body (the big guys in charge) of the competition your team is taking part in, can choose to take action, or further action against a player once the game has finished. For instance Mr Suarez, above, got given a seven  match ban ( a massssive grounding) after he sunk his teeth into an opponent. 

A club can also fine a player his wages if he or she is misbehaving on or off the field, so going out on the lash the night before a game may affect more than just your ability to perform on the pitch, it may also affect your bank balance.

Something your average ref doesn't have the power to do.