Football Referee Match Card Guide: Disciplinary Codes & Reporting
Comprehensive guide for referees and league organisers on match cards, FA disciplinary caution codes (C1-C7, S1-S7), sin bins, and matchday incident reporting.
Rules and costs vary by country. References to the FA, County FAs, or UK prices describe UK practice; check your local governing body before applying them elsewhere.
A football referee match card is the official legal record of a fixture, documenting kick-off times, team lineups, goalscorers, disciplinary cards with FA codes (C1–C7 cautions, S1–S7 dismissals), temporary dismissals (sin bins for dissent), and fair play marks. Referees must submit match cards within league deadlines (typically 24–48 hours) to verify final scores and trigger automated table updates.
1. What is an Official Football Match Card?
In organised football, a match card (or referee team report) is the binding legal document of the fixture. If a scoreline, goalscorer, or disciplinary sanction is challenged by a club, the League Management Committee and County FA rely on the referee’s official card to resolve the dispute.
Historically, grassroots referees filled out paper triplicate pads in changing rooms, handing one carbon copy to each manager and posting the third to the league secretary. Today, modern leagues utilise mobile web portals where match officials log goals, disciplinary cards, substitutions, and respect marks straight from their smartphones before leaving the pitch.
2. Official FA Caution Codes (Yellow Cards: C1 to C7)
When a referee cautions a player, they must record the specific FA disciplinary offence code on the match card. These codes are standardised across English football and are mandatory when filing post-match reports on the FA Whole Game System.
| Code | Offence Name | Typical Match Scenarios | Special Grassroots Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Unsporting Behaviour | Reckless tackle, tactical foul (stopping promising attack), simulation | Standard yellow card |
| C2 | Dissent by Word or Action | Swearing at officials, aggressive gestures, disputing decisions | Triggers 10-min FA Sin Bin (Grassroots) |
| C3 | Persistent Infringement | Repeated fouling after earlier warnings | Standard yellow card |
| C4 | Delaying Restart of Play | Kicking ball away, holding onto ball, taking throw-in from wrong spot | Standard yellow card |
| C5 | Failure to Respect Distance | Encroaching within 10 yards at free kicks or corners | Standard yellow card |
| C6 | Entering Field Without Permission | Substitute stepping onto pitch before player exits | Standard yellow card |
| C7 | Deliberately Leaving Field | Leaving pitch without referee consent to gain advantage | Standard yellow card |
In grassroots adult and youth football, a C2 caution for dissent results in an immediate 10-minute temporary dismissal (8 minutes in matches under 60 minutes). The player must wait in the technical area and cannot be substituted.
3. Official FA Sending-Off Codes (Red Cards: S1 to S7)
When a dismissal occurs, the referee must issue an immediate red card and document the exact sending-off code accompanied by a detailed written incident report for the County FA Disciplinary Department.
| Code | Dismissal Offence | Definition & Mandatory Details | Standard FA Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | Serious Foul Play | Tackle using excessive force endangering safety of opponent | 3-match suspension |
| S2 | Violent Conduct | Striking, headbutting, punching or kicking off the ball | 3-match suspension |
| S3 | Spitting / Biting | Spitting at or biting an opponent or any other person | 6-match suspension minimum |
| S4 | DOGSO by Deliberate Handball | Denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity by handling | 1-match suspension |
| S5 | DOGSO by Physical Foul | Denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity by foul tackle | 1-match suspension |
| S6 | Abusive / Insulting Language | Offensive, insulting or threatening language or gestures | 2-match suspension |
| S7 | Second Caution in Same Match | Receiving two yellow cards (or two sin bins) in the same game | 1-match suspension |
4. Essential Information Required on Every Match Card
Incomplete match cards create administrative headaches for fixture secretaries and delay league table updates. Referees should ensure every section is completed before signing off.
Referee Match Card Completion Checklist
- Fixture Details: Competition name, date, scheduled kick-off time, and actual kick-off time.
- Lineups & Numbers: Verified team sheets with shirt numbers corresponding to player names.
- Full-Time Score: Halftime score, full-time score, and any penalty shootout results.
- Goalscorers: Player surname, shirt number, minute scored, and penalty/own-goal annotations.
- Disciplinary Events: Minute, player number, offence code (C1–C7 or S1–S7), and short description.
- Fair Play & Respect Marks: Objective rating (1 to 10) for team hospitality, manager conduct, and supporters.
5. Post-Match Sign-Off and Dispute Protocols
A best-practice match card procedure requires both team managers to review the score and goalscorer list with the referee immediately after the final whistle.
The referee’s on-pitch decisions on facts connected with play remain final under IFAB Law 5. If a club wishes to challenge a disciplinary sanction (such as a claim of wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity on a card), this cannot be resolved by the league; it must be lodged directly with the County FA via the Whole Game System or Club Portal within strict FA deadlines (typically notification of intent within two working days). The League Secretary deals only with competition administrative matters, such as player eligibility protests or clerical errors in recorded scorelines.
Mobile Pitch-Side Match Cards with Footy League
Footy League Pro and Elite give referees a mobile browser portal to select registered players, log goals and cards, and submit a match card from the pitch-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a referee have to submit a match card?
Most UK grassroots leagues require match card scores to be submitted within 2 to 24 hours of the final whistle. Official FA disciplinary misconduct reports for red cards must be submitted to the County FA via the FA Whole Game System within two working days.
Can a referee change a goalscorer after the match card is submitted?
Yes. If a referee subsequently realises an administrative error was made (such as crediting an own goal to the wrong player), they can notify the League Fixtures Secretary to correct the competition record.
What is the difference between S1 Serious Foul Play and S2 Violent Conduct?
Serious Foul Play (S1) occurs during a challenge for the ball while the ball is in play. Violent Conduct (S2) occurs when a player uses excessive physical force against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or when the ball is dead.
What happens if a manager refuses to sign the referee match card?
Under league rules, a manager’s refusal to sign does not invalidate the score. The referee notes "Refused to Sign" on the report along with any reason given, and the League Management Committee investigates.
Related Guides for League Organisers
League Operations
How to Run a Sunday League: Grassroots Football Organiser Guide
League Operations
Grassroots Football Player Registration Rules: Transfers, Ineligibility & Photo ID
Rules & Standings
Football League Table Rules: Standings, Columns & Calculations Explained
Rules & Standings