An attacker is legally challenged by a defender close to the penalty area and the referee allows play to continue. A substituted player present in the technical area protests against this decision without entering the field and interfering with play. What action does the referee take?

THE DECISION

The referee does not have to stop play and may take the disciplinary sanction when the ball next goes out of play. An initial, non-exaggerated disagreement, objection or complaint is usually accepted by the referee as a natural reaction. Clear and/or continual dissent (with words, actions or gestures) is punished with a caution (yellow card).