An attacker attempts to win a position with a defender, clearly holds the opponent and impedes their movement. The defender shields the ball, tries to get free and then strikes the attacker in the face with the elbow. What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The referee stops play, penalises the first (holding) offence and awards a direct free kick against the attacker’s team. The sanction for the defender depends on the severity of the offence. If the defender was guilty of: * acting in a reckless manner – caution (yellow card) * violent conduct – sending-off (red card) The attacker may be cautioned for unsporting behaviour if the holding was considered blatant/provocative.