Red Cards in Soccer: How They Work and Their History

by Will Brown, August 19, 2025

The penalty card system may have been adopted by officiators across many sports, but did you know it first originated in professional soccer? Red cards in soccer symbolize the most serious on-field infringements, and their showing by referees can quickly turn the tides of a game. But how do they work exactly, and when were they first introduced? In this guide, we’ve provided a thorough overview of the card system’s background, how it’s implemented, and some interesting facts around it.

An Introduction to Soccer’s Red Cards

To kick this guide off, we’ve covered exactly how the card system works, before answering the question of how many red cards can you get in soccer. From there, we’ve explored the history of the penalty card system in the sport.

The latter section of this article has covered some of the most memorable red card moments in soccer’s history, as well as some facts, such as which player got carded the most. Use the links below to jump to each section or keep scrolling to learn it all.

• How Do Red Cards Work?
• How Many Get You Get?
• The History of Red Cards
• Memorable Red Card Moments
• Interesting Facts About Red Cards

How Do Red Cards Work in Soccer?

In soccer, the red card is considered to be the most serious form of punishment against a player. As soon as a referee shows the card, the player is immediately expelled from the field, and they are unable to play for the remainder of the game. Not only this, but teams are unable to replace the player with someone on the bench.

Therefore, red cards are not only a punishment to a player but a severe penalty on the team, as being forced to play with one less player can hugely impact their chances of winning. But how do red cards work in soccer exactly, and what type of behavior warrants their use?

There are two ways that the penalty can be awarded. The first is used if it is the second yellow card offense committed by a player. Yellow cards are shown when a player commits certain offenses that violate FIFA’s Laws of the Game. These serve as a warning to the offenders or coaches to rein in players.

Yellow cards can be awarded when players display unsportsmanlike behavior such as reckless tackles, arguing or disrespecting referees, repeating fouls after warnings, employing time-wasting tactics, and entering the field without permission. Illegally stopping opponents’ attacks and failing to respect the required distance during corners, free kicks, and throw-ins are also yellow card infringements.

If two yellow cards are shown, a red card immediately follows. The second way is the direct red card, which is given immediately for serious infringements. These include dangerous foul play, violent conduct, spitting on an opponent or referee, denying a goal-scoring opportunity illegally, and using offensive or abusive language.

Most red cards in a soccer game are awarded directly. If a team has been consistently receiving red cards, then they may not be worth backing at soccer betting sites due to the huge disadvantages involved with losing a player. This is why it pays to do your research.

How Many Red Cards Can You Get in Soccer?

While individuals can only receive one red card per match, how many red cards can you get in soccer as a team essentially relates to the rules surrounding how many players must be on the pitch. FIFA rules stipulate that a team must have seven players on the field. Therefore, if more than four players on the 11-a-side lineup are sent off, the game is abandoned.

Because red cards in soccer aren’t especially common, it’s rare for teams to receive more than two per game. However, there are instances where this has been exceeded, although these tend to be in lower division leagues. When players receive a red card, they are almost always given a one-game suspension, though this can be increased depending on the severity of the offense.

If individuals receive multiple red cards across a season, the penalties can increase, with season-long suspensions, fines, and sanctions known to be awarded. This can see coaches become hesitant to start the players and can see them placed on watchlists, whereby referees keep a closer eye on their conduct throughout games.

The History of Red Cards

While the penalty card system is closely associated with soccer today, its introduction was actually quite recent in relation to the sport’s history. Before 1970, referees would penalize players verbally or “booking”, which saw referees write offenders’ names in a book. In some instances, players would also be sent off.

Because these methods weren’t universal or often clear to teams and audiences, penalties could be confusing. This was especially prevalent in international games where language barriers already hindered communication. In response, British referee Ken Aston proposed a system that could clearly communicate cautions or expulsions.

Inspired by traffic lights, Aston’s yellow and red card system was first introduced at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Although this tournament saw no red cards awarded, it was an immediate success. It has now become one of the most recognizable symbols in soccer due to its simplicity and clarity.

Most Memorable Red Card Moments

One of the best ways to truly get a grasp on how do red cards work in soccer is by watching clips of some of their most memorable and controversial uses. The most iconic instances tend to be during the World Cup, when the stakes are the highest and national rivalries are amplified.

One of the most storied was awarded to France’s captain Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup Final. In Zidane’s last game before retirement, he was sent off the pitch in extra time after headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi. France went on to lose in a penalty shootout, and Zidane’s career ended on a sour note.

David Beckham’s carding during the Round of 16 in the 1998 World Cup was also controversial. The incident came after Argentina’s Diego Simeone fouled David Beckham, then taunted him while he was on the ground. Beckham responded by kicking out at Simeone, leading to his removal. England later lost the game on penalties, leading to fan backlash against Beckham.

Fellow Brit Wayne Rooney’s dismissal following stamping on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho during the quarter-final of the 2006 World Cup was also highly publicized. What made matters worse was that Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Rooney for Manchester United, winked at the bench following the red card.

In 2010, Uruguay’s Luis Suárez deliberately gained a red card as a tactical maneuver to force Ghana toward an unsuccessful penalty shot, making it among the most controversial red cards in soccer history. Another saw the Netherlands’ Frank Rijkhaard spitting on Germany’s Rudi Völler at the 1990 World Cup, leading to cards for them both.

Interesting Facts About Red Cards

Now that the answer to “What do red cards mean in soccer?” has been answered, we want to share some interesting facts about their use. For example, while red cards result in immediate expulsions during matches, they can be rescinded after the fact. Players and teams can appeal if they believe that they have been incorrectly issued after a match, and if they’re overturned, suspensions are cancelled.

It’s also not just players who can receive them. In 2019, FIFA introduced laws that allowed referees to issue a card to managers for sideline misconduct. If this happens, they are forced away from the field for the remainder of the game. As for the fastest red card? In 2000, English defender Lee Todd was carded for foul language two seconds into a match in response to the loudness of the referee’s whistle.

Colombia’s Gerardo Beyoya holds the record for most red cards in a career, with 46 received to earn him the nickname “The Beast”. As for the most awarded in a single game, a 2011 fifth division game in Argentina saw a referee award 36 cards to players and coaching staff after a massive brawl broke out.

The 2006 World Cup saw the largest number of red cards given, with a total of 28 players sent off in 20 matches. Brazil and Argentina are the worst offenders, sharing the record of 11 players sent off across nine games. Research has also found that teams playing away are more likely to receive red cards, suggesting bias among home game referees.