What happens straight after I am sent off?

If you are sent off, or you commit conduct that would mean expulsion under the IFAB Laws of the Game, you are suspended without a hearing and without appeal for one match. This is the automatic suspension.

• When it is served: for adult players, in the following scheduled match within the competition or league in which it was incurred.
• Carry-over: if the season ends before you serve it, the one match suspension carries into the next season.
• After serving it: you can resume playing, unless you have also received an immediate suspension or a hearing results in a further sanction.
• Hearing still possible: the referee's report can lead to a complaint and a hearing. At that point the panel can add to the automatic suspension using the sanctioning tables. You may play your next match once the automatic suspension has been served, unless you are accused of assaulting, threatening or harassing a match official or the panel decides the matter is serious enough for an indefinite or provisional suspension pending the hearing.
• Postponing a hearing: if you ask to postpone your hearing, you must still serve the automatic suspension.