What is red card in soccer?

A red card in soccer is a disciplinary sanction given to a player for committing a serious foul, violent conduct, or other misconduct on the field. When a player receives a red card, they are immediately ejected from the game and their team is forced to play with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the match.

A red card can also result in additional disciplinary actions, such as a suspension from future games and fines. In some cases, a red card may be given for intentional handball offenses that prevent a goal from being scored, known as a "professional foul."

In most cases, a red card is issued by the referee after reviewing the incident and determining that the player's actions warrant a expulsion from the game. The player must leave the field of play and cannot be replaced by a substitute, meaning their team must play with one less player.

In professional soccer, accumulating multiple red cards throughout a season can result in longer suspensions and further disciplinary action from the governing body of the league.