The following information has been prepared to provide helpful guidance to Clubs and Participants on The FA Disciplinary Regulations for the 2025/26 Season. This information does not alter or replace the actual FA Rules and Regulations which should be referred to for the full provisions relating to disciplinary matters. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the following information and the Rules and Regulations, the Rules and Regulations shall take precedence.
Summary
Suspensions following a Red Card are applied across both league and cup competitions as per the table below – It should also be noted that Players and Substitutes can be cautioned or dismissed after the end of the match up until the Referee leaves the field of play. Players who are dismissed for a second time in a season will receive an additional match suspension to those listed below. Players who are dismissed for a third time will receive two additional matches and so forth.
Category 3: Players associated with a team competing in the National League (North and South Divisions), the Isthmian League, the Northern Premier League and the Southern League playing Matches in any League, League cup competition, the FA Challenge Cup and FA Trophy:
SENDING-OFF OFFENCE | AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION | FINE | COMPETITIONS TO WHICH AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION APPLIES |
Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence | 1 Match | £20.00 | a) League in which Player’s team competes; b) League cup competition in which Player’s team competes; c) FA Cup; and d) FA Trophy
|
Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick | 1 Match | ||
Serious foul play | 3 Matches | £40.00 | |
Spitting at an opponent or any other person | 6 Matches | ||
Violent conduct | 3 Matches | ||
Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures | 2 Matches | £30.00 | |
Receiving a second caution in the same match | 1 Match | £20.00 |
- The period of suspension will commence either (a) 7 days after the date of the sending-off offence, or (b) immediately before the play-off matches if the sending-off offence occurs less than seven days prior to the first play-off match or (c) immediately if the sending-off offence is committed in a play-off match (unless in each case the Club or Player submits a claim of wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity).
- The Senior County Cup will not be treated as a First Team fixture and cannot be used to serve suspensions for First Team matches. Any Misconduct for the Senior County Cup will be dealt with by the County FA as a Non First Team Misconduct.
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