Helping you to learn your rules and regs and stay the right side of the FA disciplinary process.


Cautions (Yellow Cards)

Accumulating five, ten, fifteen or twenty Cautions in league matches can result in an automatic ban in your relevant league. Accumulated Cautions in some cup competitions are specific to that competition and can result in an automatic ban from the cup competition in which the Cautions were received.

The cut-off points for receiving a sanction as a result of accumulating Cautions are outlined in the following tables:

*Please note the tables below are an indication of expected sanction. Members are advised to always check sanctions with the Football Association.

EFL Leagues/National League

Competition in which the Caution was accumulated

Number of Cautions Accumulated

Cut Off Point (Inclusive)

Automatic Suspension for number of Cautions

Competitions where automatic suspensions apply

EFL Leagues

5

19 EFL matches

1 match

EFL Leagues

10

37 EFL matches

2 matches

15

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

3 matches

20

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

National League

5

23 National League matches

1 match

National League

10

37 National League matches

2 matches

15

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

3 matches

20

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

The FA WSL

5

N/A

1 match

The FA WSL

10

N/A

2 matches

15

N/A

3 matches

20

N/A

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

The FA WC

5

N/A

1 match

The FA WC

10

N/A

2 matches

15

N/A

3 matches

20

N/A

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

FA Cup

4

(where Player’s Club enter in Qualifying Competition or First Round Proper) and for every two further cautions)

Sixth Round (Quarter Finals)

1 Match

FA Cup

2

(where Player’s Club enter in Third Round Proper) and for every two further cautions

EFL Cup

2

Quarter Finals

1 Match

EFL Cup

4

EFL Trophy

2

Quarter Finals

1 Match

EFL Trophy

4

FA Trophy

2

Quarter Finals

1 Match

FA Trophy

4

 

Steps 2-4

Competition in which the Caution was accumulated

Number of Cautions Accumulated

Cut Off Point

Automatic Suspension for number of Cautions

Fine

Competitions where automatic suspensions apply

National League (North and South Divisions), the Isthmian League, the Northern Premier League or the Southern League and League Cup competition

5

30th November

1 match

£20

League in which player’s team competes and League Cup Competition

10

Second Saturday in March

2 matches

15

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

3 matches

20

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

Determined by regulatory commission

FA Cup

4 and for every further 2 Cautions

Sixth Round (Quarter-Finals)

1 match

N/A

FA Cup Only

FA Trophy

4 and for every further 2 Cautions

Quarter-Finals

1 match

N/A

FA Trophy Only

Cautions (Yellow Cards)

Accumulating five, ten, fifteen or twenty Cautions in league matches can result in an automatic ban in your relevant league. Accumulated Cautions in some cup competitions are specific to that competition and can result in an automatic ban from the cup competition in which the Cautions were received.

The cut-off points for receiving a sanction as a result of accumulating Cautions are outlined in the following tables:

*Please note the tables below are an indication of expected sanction. Members are advised to always check sanctions with the Football Association.

EFL Leagues/National League

Competition in which the Caution was accumulated

Number of Cautions Accumulated

Cut Off Point (Inclusive)

Automatic Suspension for number of Cautions

Competitions where automatic suspensions apply

EFL Leagues

5

19 EFL matches

1 match

EFL Leagues

10

37 EFL matches

2 matches

15

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

3 matches

20

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

National League

5

23 National League matches

1 match

National League

10

37 National League matches

2 matches

15

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

3 matches

20

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

The FA WSL

5

N/A

1 match

The FA WSL

10

N/A

2 matches

15

N/A

3 matches

20

N/A

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

The FA WC

5

N/A

1 match

The FA WC

10

N/A

2 matches

15

N/A

3 matches

20

N/A

As determined by a Regulatory Commission

FA Cup

4

(where Player’s Club enter in Qualifying Competition or First Round Proper) and for every two further cautions)

Sixth Round (Quarter Finals)

1 Match

FA Cup

2

(where Player’s Club enter in Third Round Proper) and for every two further cautions

EFL Cup

2

Quarter Finals

1 Match

EFL Cup

4

EFL Trophy

2

Quarter Finals

1 Match

EFL Trophy

4

FA Trophy

2

Quarter Finals

1 Match

FA Trophy

4

 

Steps 2-4

Competition in which the Caution was accumulated

Number of Cautions Accumulated

Cut Off Point

Automatic Suspension for number of Cautions

Fine

Competitions where automatic suspensions apply

National League (North and South Divisions), the Isthmian League, the Northern Premier League or the Southern League and League Cup competition

5

30th November

1 match

£20

League in which player’s team competes and League Cup Competition

10

Second Saturday in March

2 matches

15

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

3 matches

20

Last day of the relevant League playing season prior to the play-off matches

Determined by regulatory commission

FA Cup

4 and for every further 2 Cautions

Sixth Round (Quarter-Finals)

1 match

N/A

FA Cup Only

FA Trophy

4 and for every further 2 Cautions

Quarter-Finals

1 match

N/A

FA Trophy Only

Please note that this is only provided for guidance as to the rules and regs and for full details, please be sure to see

The FA Handbook 2021-22 and https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2021-22/disciplinary-regulations.ashx.