05/06/2026
A player may be cautioned (yellow card) for verbally distracting an opponent if this is considered by the referee to be unsporting behaviour (as mentioned in Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct). Minor offences can be dealt with a warning, unless they are blatant and/or repeated.
OFFENCE
For a player to be punished, the referee should be convinced that the verbal distraction unfairly impacted the opponent and interfered with play (which is more likely in youth/grassroots football).
DECISION
If a player verbally distracts an opponent:
➡ at a restart – the restart can be retaken unless the referee plays advantage
➡ during play – the referee may decide to stop play or allow it to continue (depending on the circumstances/impact); if play is stopped, it is restarted with an indirect free kick from the place where the offending player was at the time of the offence
EXAMPLES
1️⃣ At a penalty kick, a defending team player shouts loudly at the moment when an attacking team player is about to kick the ball. This unfair interference distracts the kicker and the penalty is missed.
Decision: The defending player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour and the penalty kick is retaken.
2️⃣ While a player is taking a throw-in, an opponent shouts at the thrower to distract them.
Decision: If the ball has not yet come into play, the throw-in is taken by the same team from the same position. However, if the throw-in has been taken, the referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the thrower’s team. The offending player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour before play is restarted.
3️⃣ While a defender is about to receive the ball, an attacker who is close and behind the defender, shouts ‘my ball’ to mislead the opponent. The defender hesitates and fails to control the ball, allowing the attacker to gain possession of the ball.
Decision: The referee may stop play and award an indirect free kick to the defender’s team. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
4️⃣ During a youth football match, a defender chases an attacker and yells at them to distract the attacker as they prepare to make a pass/take a shot. As a result, the attacker stops and loses possession of the ball.
Decision: The referee may stop play and award an indirect free kick to the attacker’s team. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.
