What happens if I'm cautioned or sin-binned?
Rule- England
- England Football
- The FA
- Women's and girls' football
- Youth football
- Mixed football
- Grassroots
- 2026/27
- Players
- Under 7-Open age
In grassroots football (Saturday, Sunday and midweek leagues, including women's and girls' leagues below the FA Women's National League), cautions build up over the season under The FA's Disciplinary Regulations (2026/27 FA Handbook, Table 7):
| Cautions in the same football category | Reached by | Automatic suspension |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 31 December | 1 match |
| 10 | Second Sunday in April | 2 matches |
| 15 | Last day of the season | 3 matches |
| 20 | Last day of the season | You must attend a Disciplinary Commission, which decides the penalty (also for every 5 more) |
- Each caution-accumulation suspension comes with a £15 fine, and each caution notification carries a £12 administration fee, charged through your club.
- A temporary dismissal (sin bin) counts as a caution towards these totals.
- Cautions only count within the football category where you got them (for example Sunday football), and the suspension is served in that category.
- Any suspension starts on the seventh day after the last caution, whether or not you've received the paperwork.
- For under-18s in youth football, the club pays any fine.
If you think you were cautioned in error because of mistaken identity, your club can make a claim to the County FA by 5pm on the third business day after the match, with evidence and a fee.
Added 21 Oct 2026