Explain: What is a red card in football? How does it get overturned?

Football is a game of passion and adrenaline, where players get physical running for the ball and securing moments of glory. In such situations, things are bound to get out of hand sometimes, so the red card was introduced in the game. A split second can change the game’s trajectory entirely if a player is sent off by being red-carded.

Further consequences involve suffering from match bans, depending on the severity of the foul; as simple as the rules surrounding it seem, modern football has not failed to complicate it further. While we delve into the laws of the game, there are special conditions in play: when a team appeals for the red card of a player to the Football Association, under what circumstances would they overturn the ban?

What is a Red Card and why is it handed?

The most severe punishment a footballer can incur during the game is a red card from the referee. The referee may show a red card depending on the severity of the situation. A player may either be handed two yellow cards for two successively dangerous acts of play or a direct red card, which would be a sending-off and force his team to play with a lesser player.

As the game’s laws outlined, red cards are issued for breach of play or malicious intent, which could be dangerous for the player on the receiving end. In some situations of the modern game, a red card has also been shown to players despite getting the ball on the tackle if the foul is too rough or has left the other player injured.

Any violent behavior, including intentional handballs, is also not entertained, which can also result in a sending-off. Denying an apparent goal-soring opportunity or unsportsmanlike conduct like spitting on an official or an opponent can also result in being sent off through a red card, including abusive language or gestures on the pitch, depending on the officials’ jurisdiction.

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How can a Red Card be Overturned?

While there is no clear plan of action to immediately appeal a red card, which means that at the moment, the player in question would have to leave the field of play and be suspended from the game, there have come new measures, contrary to popular belief. This ensures that not all red card decisions are final, and clubs can appeal to the official organizations against unjust suspensions or if the punishments seem too harsh.

For example, the appeal process is handled by the governing football body or the Football Association (FA) in England. It would require compelling evidence to overturn the referee’s decision, whose word is final. The clubs have two days to formally submit an appeal following the red card, and appeals can only be submitted in cases of ‘wrongful dismissals’ or ‘human error’ of the referee. Hence, unsportsmanlike conduct or second yellow cards cannot be appealed.

The clubs are then supposed to present compelling evidence, which may include the official’s statements from the match day or video footage and player testimonies, whichever may work in their favor. Once the appeals are submitted, the governing bodies study the issue carefully from multiple angles of the video footage and determine whether the red card was justified. During this stage, the referee’s verdict is also considered; if the initial review is inconclusive, the appeal is then passed on to an independent regulatory commission.

Ideally, This panel would consist of football and legal experts who will examine the incident and allow both sides to present their cases and appeal. This process may take place in person or online on a video call, giving clubs chances to argue if the red card could be overturned and possible suspensions of essential players during the busy schedule of clubs could be avoided, which could change the trajectory of their season.

Possible Outcomes after the Appeal

Once the appeal and review process is completed, the possible outcomes may vary depending upon the situation. If the suspension still stands, the player will have to serve the complete ban, which can be up to three matches or more, depending upon the severity of their offense. However, if the appeal is successful and the ban is overturned, then their suspension is lifted immediately, and they are allowed to participate in the following matches from immediate effect.

There are also conditions during which if the governing or regulatory organization finds the ban too harsh but the red card to be justified, they would reduce the suspension. Some instances include players being suspended for one match instead of their initial three match-ban in such cases. In extreme cases, the appeal may backfire on the team and the player.

If the FA or other bodies find the foul more extreme than the referee deemed, given the appeal lacking merit and conviction, they will extend the suspension. This also serves as a warning against clubs that the appeal process cannot be abused and will be treated fairly.

Most recent examples of Red Card Appeals in the Premier League

The 2024/25 version of the Premier League has already witnessed some controversial moments which often put the match officials under pressure. The referees almost take the blame for everything in the game, whether through the fans, the managers, or the players themselves. However, the FA is apparent in their conduct, and it does not matter how high-profile the club might be; they would look into the matter without bias.

Some instances of this season’s red card include Bruno Fernandes’ challenge on James Maddison, for which he was shown a red card during Manchester United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur in September 2024. Fernandes was shown a straight red during the second half for a tackle that the on-field officials deemed dangerous, deeming worthy of a dismissal. However, after consulting with the Video Assistant Referee or VAR, the referee decided that the challenge was unintentional and found it not to be reckless to overturn the red card.

Another incident happened when Arsenal played Wolves in January 2025, where the Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly found himself at the center of a controversial decision. He was shown a straight red card for a tackle Mat Doherty in the second half on the right wing. The referee found the tackle deliberate and was denied the opportunity of a promising attack. However, upon consultation, the referee overturned the red card and allowed Lewis-Skelly to continue the match, with the decision being praised as Doherty also left the pitch uninjured.

Another heated instance in the Premier League happened in the Newcastle United and Aston Villa match in December 2024. Villa’s John Duran was sent off for a controversial tackle on Fabian Schar in the dying seconds of the game, where Duran appeared to stamp on Schar, which seemed to have come in the ball’s momentum. While Villa appealed the decision to the FA, arguing that the contact was accidental and not deliberate, the review by the disciplinary panel did not agree with their appeal. The suspension was upheld, and Duran was suspended for three matches, with the appeal being denied and not being in support of Villa’s claim.

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How does VAR help in Red Card decisions?

The introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in the modern game has been the subject of many debates and discussions, given their effective usage. While VAR has its critics, it has played an essential role in showcasing angles and slow-motion replays which can help and provide transparency to the fans. However, human error is not uncommon in VAR either with misinterpretation also happening many times by the officials.

The appeals get processed quickly, especially during the busy season, with them often getting an answer within 24 hours of the incident. Even with video and other evidence, the appeal process is open to interpretation, with most clubs not finding the appeal process very fruitful. The game’s future is highly dependent on technology and proper ethics, with the help of legal experts who ensure that decisions are made fairly.

Conclusion

A red card is not something a player gets every day in the game, with some players not receiving any throughout their careers. While it can drastically change the course of a smooth game, it does not always have to result in a considerable suspension, and modern practices have given players and clubs more authority over officials who would like to dictate the game.

While the appeal process remains entirely in the hands of the regulatory bodies, such progress in the game and its laws showcases a spirit to adapt to modern times. The future of the sport is promising since more measures to ensure transparency and honesty are being promoted, making the process of protecting players and the spirit of the game highly commendable.