What happens if I'm sent off?

Question

Accepted Answer

In grassroots football (Saturday, Sunday and midweek leagues, including women's and girls' leagues below the FA Women's National League), a sending-off brings an automatic suspension and fine under The FA's Disciplinary Regulations (2026/27 FA Handbook, Table 8): Sending-off offence Suspension Fine Denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity by handball 1 match £20 Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence punishable by a free kick 1 match £20 Second caution in the same match 1 match £20 Offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures 2 matches £30 Serious foul play 3 matches £40 Violent conduct 3 matches £40 Spitting at an opponent or any other person 6 matches £40 A £15 administration fee is also charged for each sending-off notification, through your club. If you've already been sent off earlier in the same season, you get one extra match for each previous sending-off. The suspension starts on the seventh day after the offence, whether or not the paperwork has arrived. It is served in the same football category (for example Sunday football) and ends when your team has played that number of matches. Any matches left at the end of the season carry over to the next season. While suspended you can't play in that category or act as a match official. For under-18s in youth football, the club pays any fine. The County FA can also bring a separate misconduct charge for serious incidents, which can lead to a longer suspension from all football.

Sending-off offence	Suspension	Fine
Denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity by handball	1 match	£20
Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence punishable by a free kick	1 match	£20
Second caution in the same match	1 match	£20
Offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures	2 matches	£30
Serious foul play	3 matches	£40
Violent conduct	3 matches	£40
Spitting at an opponent or any other person	6 matches	£40