How do I handle a violent action exclusion?

A player excluded for violent action is excluded for the remainder of the match. A substitute may replace that player once four minutes of actual play have elapsed since the exclusion foul was awarded. This applies whether the foul was awarded during play or during a stoppage.

The secretary signals that four minutes of actual play have passed by raising the yellow flag together with the coloured flag for that team (white or blue, depending on the team's cap colour), or by another approved method.

The timekeepers record the exclusion times and the re-entry times of excluded players or their substitutes.

Source: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (February 2026), Part Six, Articles 3.10.2.5, 3.11.2.3.2 and 10.8.