An attacker commits a late sliding tackle, recklessly fouling a defender near the goal line. The tackle occurs shortly after the defender has kicked the ball and it has already gone out for a corner kick. What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for the reckless tackle, even though it occurred after the ball was out of play. However, play is restarted with a corner kick because the referee cannot award a free kick as the ball was outside the field of play at the time of the reckless tackle.