While the ball is in play, a player re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission, kicks the ball away and thus stops a promising attack. The ball leaves the field over the touchline. What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The referee stops play and takes appropriate disciplinary action. The player receives a caution (yellow card) for each offence (entering without the referee’s permission and stopping a promising attack) and therefore is sent off (red card). Play is restarted with a direct free kick for the opposing team from the place where the player kicked the ball.