While competing with an opponent for the ball, a player falls to the ground in the middle of the field, pretends to have been fouled and grabs the ball with their hand. What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The player is guilty of two offences (simulation and deliberately handling the ball when it is in play). As the offences occur so close together, the referee can award a direct free kick for the handball offence and caution (yellow card) the player for unsporting behaviour (an attempt to deceive the referee).