A defender starts an argument with an attacker and pushes the opponent outside the penalty area while the ball is in play in the middle of the field. What is the referee’s decision?

THE DECISION

The referee may stop play and award a direct free kick for the attacker’s team where the pushing offence occurred, even though it was away from the ball and did not have any impact on play. Depending on the force used, the defender is: * cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour – if the offence was reckless * sent off (red card) for violent conduct – if excessive force or brutality was used