What counts as player misconduct under the Laws?

Under Section 15 of the 2026 International Laws of the Game, a player is guilty of misconduct if they:

• trip, kick or strike another player
• make contact with an opponent's head or neck, intentionally, recklessly or carelessly, when making or attempting a tackle
• drop knees first onto an opponent on the ground
• use a dangerous throw in a tackle
• deliberately and continually break the Laws
• use offensive or obscene language
• dispute a decision of the referee or a touch judge
• come back onto the field without permission after temporarily leaving the game
• behave in any way against the true spirit of the game
• deliberately obstruct an opponent who doesn't have the ball
• shoulder charge an opponent
• apply unnecessary pressure or twists on a player in possession, including grapples, crushers or "chicken wing" holds
• forcefully spear at the legs of a player in possession, exposing them to unnecessary risk of injury

A dangerous throw is any tackle or contact that lifts a player so that their head or neck is likely to hit the ground first, unless it couldn't have been avoided with reasonable care.

Third tackler: when two or more defenders hold a ball carrier upright, any other defender must make first contact above the knees.

Deliberately delaying a restart from the goal line, 20-metre line or halfway line also counts as misconduct.