Premier and Football League suspensions
Definitive information on player disciplinary suspensions in the Premier League and Football League.
About FA suspensions
Yellow cards
The Disciplinary Procedures section of the FA Handbook explains that:
- If a Premier League player is shown 5 yellow cards in first team competitive matches (FTCM) - excluding European competitions and international matches - between the opening day of the season up to and including 31 December, he will automatically be suspended for 1 first team game
- A Football League player will be automatically suspended for 1 first team game after being shown 5 yellow cards in FTCM between the opening day of the season up to and including 30 November
- Should any player receive 10 yellow cards in FTCM between the opening day of the season and the second Sunday of April, he will be automatically suspended for 2 first team games
- Should any player receive 15 yellow cards in FTCM between the opening day of the season and the last day of the season, he will be automatically suspended for 3 first team games
- Should any player receive 20 yellow cards in FTCM between the opening day of the season and the last day of the season, members of a Regulatory Commission have the authority to punish the player "in such manner as they deem fit"
Red cards
The suspension relating to players shown a red card is dependent upon the offence:
- Shown 2 yellow cards - suspended for 1 first team game
- Denying a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by physical means or by handling the ball - suspended for 1 first team game
- Using offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures - suspended for 2 first team games
- Serious foul play or violent conduct - suspended for 3 games in approved competitions
- Spitting at an opponent or any other person - suspended for 6 games in approved competitions
Except for being shown 2 yellow cards, red card offences can be subject to appeal due to mistaken identity or for claims of wrongful dismissal.