The referee stops play and awards a penalty kick because an attacker falls down in the opponents’ penalty area and the referee thinks the attacker was fouled by a defender. The referee undertakes an on-field review and the replay footage clearly shows that the attacker pretends to have been fouled – the defender did not touch the attacker . What is the referee’s decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The penalty kick is cancelled and an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (simulation).