What happens when a player gets a yellow or red card?
Rule- South Africa
- SAFA
- SAFA Junior Football League
- U13
- U15
- SAFA Uniform Rules
- IFAB Laws of the Game
- 2026
- Coaches
SAFA Competitions Uniform Rules 26 and 27 set automatic suspensions in SAFA official competitions:
| Offence | Automatic suspension |
|---|---|
| Player sent off (red card) | Next 2 matches |
| 4 cautions (yellow cards) | Next 2 matches (except during play-offs or representative games) |
| Club official ordered off the field or technical area | Banned from the field and technical area for the next 3 matches |
- A suspension still outstanding at the end of the season is served at the start of the next season.
- Cautions don't carry over to the next season.
- SAFA doesn't have to tell you about cards or suspensions. Keeping accurate records and making sure players serve their bans is the responsibility of the team, the player and the official.
- Fielding a suspended player is misconduct, and the opposition can protest.
Serious incidents can be referred to a disciplinary hearing, which can impose longer bans.
Added 22 Oct 2026