NYC Footy Red Card Review & Disciplinary Protocol

At NYC Footy, sportsmanship and safety are at the core of our community. Any red card issued by an NYC Footy referee is subject to review by our Incidents Board. This board evaluates each incident using the official referee report and, when available, supplemental context from players or witnesses.

Sanctions are determined based on a set of minimum disciplinary standards, with the option to increase severity based on the nature of the offense. This protocol outlines the consequences for various red card offenses, ranging from standard in-game dismissals to serious misconduct such as abusive language or violent conduct.

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Every red card issued by an NYC Footy Referee will be reviewed by our Referee Incidents Board.  Their decisions will be based on the referee’s report, as well as contextualizing reports from players and witnesses if available. 

Players receiving red cards will face sanctions based on the following minimum standards:

Category 1: Standard Dismissals (Game-Based Infractions)

Low severity – typically game-related decisions with no malice or misconduct

  • Two Cautions in One Game
    ➝ Suspension: Remainder of current game only

  • Denying a Goal Scoring Opportunity
    ➝ Suspension: Remainder of current game only

Note: For all misconducts below (Categories 2–5), the listed suspensions are minimums. Depending on the severity or nature of the offense, sanctions may be increased — including possible expulsion from the league, even after a first offense.

Category 2: Competitive Misconduct
Medium severity – endangering opponents or violating the spirit of fair play

  • Serious Foul Play (what is considered serious foul play?)
    ➝ 1st Offense: At least 1 game
    ➝ 2nd Offense: At least 3 games
    ➝ 3rd Offense: At least the remainder of the season (all leagues)

Category 3: Verbal Abuse Toward Opponents

Medium severity – disrespectful conduct through language

  • Insulting or Abusive Language Toward an Opponent
    ➝ 1st Offense: At least 1 game
    ➝ 2nd Offense: At least 3 games
    ➝ 3rd Offense: At least the remainder of the season (all leagues)
    ➝ Note: Additional suspension or ban if language is racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise discriminatory.

Category 4: Verbal Abuse Toward Officials

High severity – direct disrespect or hostility toward referees

  • Abusive Language Toward a Referee
    ➝ 1st Offense: At least 2 games
    ➝ 2nd Offense: At least 4 games
    ➝ 3rd Offense: At least 8 games or remainder of season (whichever is greater)
    ➝ Note: Additional penalties apply for discriminatory language.

Category 5: Violent Conduct (what is considered violent conduct?)

Very high severity – physical aggression unrelated to play

  • Violent Conduct (non-ball-related)
    ➝ 1st Offense: At least 2 games
    ➝ 2nd Offense: At least 4 games
    ➝ 3rd Offense: At least 1-year suspension (all leagues)
    ➝ Note: Additional penalties apply for player assault.