A defending player, who has already been cautioned (yellow card) earlier in the match, stops a promising attack (SPA) by pulling an opponent’s shirt and is penalised with a direct free kick. Before the referee starts the disciplinary sanction procedure, an attacking player quickly takes the free kick and passes the ball to a team-mate who scores a goal. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The goal is awarded because the attacking team had a clear scoring opportunity, and the referee had not yet started the disciplinary sanction procedure. Since the quick free kick restored the previously 'lost' promising attack, the defender does not receive a second caution for the SPA offence.