Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Foul Play (Law 9 – World Rugby Laws of the Game 2024)
Law 9.1 defines foul play as any action by a player that is contrary to the Laws of the Game and includes, but is not limited to:
- Obstruction
- Unfair play
- Repeated infringements
- Dangerous play
- Misconduct before, during, or after a match
Sanctions for foul play range from a penalty kick (Law 21) to a yellow card (temporary suspension, 10 minutes) or a red card (permanent dismissal).
Obstruction (Law 9.4)
A player must not obstruct an opponent who does not have the ball. This includes blocking, shepherding (running in front of a ball carrier to obstruct a chasing defender), or screening. Sanction: Penalty kick.
Unfair Play (Law 9.8–9.10)
- Time wasting (Law 9.8): A player must not intentionally waste time. Sanction: Penalty kick.
- Handling the ball in the ruck or scrum (Law 9.9): A player must not pick up the ball in a ruck with their hands while on their feet. Sanction: Penalty kick.
- Handling the ball in a ruck or scrum while on the ground (Law 9.10): A player must not handle the ball while on the ground in a ruck or scrum. Sanction: Penalty kick.
Dangerous Play (Law 9.11–9.28)
World Rugby prohibits multiple forms of dangerous play. Key provisions:
- Law 9.11 – Charging or obstructing without the ball: A player must not charge into or collide with an opponent who does not have the ball. Sanction: Penalty kick.
- Law 9.12 – Striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or open hand. Sanction: Yellow or red card.
- Law 9.13 – Stamping or trampling: A player must not stamp on or trample on an opponent, whether the opponent is on the ground or not. Sanction: Yellow or red card.
- Law 9.14 – Kicking: A player must not kick an opponent. Sanction: Yellow or red card.
- Law 9.15 – Tripping: A player must not trip an opponent with the foot or leg. Sanction: Yellow or red card.
- Law 9.16 – Early or late tackle: A player must not tackle an opponent who does not have the ball or who has kicked the ball and has not yet had the opportunity to land. Sanction: Penalty kick. Where there is recklessness or danger, a yellow or red card applies.
- Law 9.17 – High tackle (World Rugby High Tackle Framework): A player must not tackle, or attempt to tackle, an opponent above the line of the shoulders. The tackle must not make contact with the head or neck of an opponent. Under the World Rugby High Tackle Framework (introduced and progressively strengthened since 2017, most recently updated in 2023), contact with the head or neck is categorised by the degree of danger and the player's actions (low, medium, high end of the range), and sanctions range from a penalty kick to a red card. This framework applies at all levels of the game as a mandatory Law application guideline.
- Law 9.18 – Dangerous play in a tackle: A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously or recklessly, e.g., by lifting and dropping them, or spearing them into the ground. Sanction: Yellow or red card.
- Law 9.19 – Dangerous play in the ruck: A player must not charge into a ruck with their head or shoulder first. Sanction: Penalty kick.
- Law 9.20 – Dangerous play in a lineout: A player must not charge, obstruct, or use any other form of dangerous play in a lineout. Sanction: Penalty kick or yellow/red card.
- Law 9.26 – Crocodile roll: A player must not pull a player across or through a lineout (the "crocodile roll"). Sanction: Penalty kick.
- Law 9.27 – Sealing off: A player in a ruck or maul must not prevent an opponent from winning the ball by lying on or over the ball. Sanction: Penalty kick.
- Law 9.28 – Collapsing a maul: A player must not intentionally collapse a maul (except in a manner permitted by Law). Sanction: Penalty kick.
Repeated Infringements (Law 9.7)
If a player, or a team as a whole, repeatedly infringes the Laws, the referee may warn the player or team that the next infringement will result in a yellow card. If the infringements continue, the referee must issue a yellow card. Repeated team infringements can result in the captain of the offending team being yellow-carded.
Yellow Card – Temporary Suspension (Law 9.5)
A yellow card results in a player being temporarily suspended from the field of play for a period of ten (10) minutes of playing time. The player may return after the suspension has elapsed. The team plays with one fewer player during the suspension period. A player who receives two yellow cards in a match is dismissed from the field (effectively a red card).
Red Card – Dismissal (Law 9.6)
A red card results in permanent dismissal from the match. The offending player must leave the playing enclosure immediately and may not be replaced (except in specific front-row safety provisions). The team plays with one fewer player for the remainder of the match. Dismissed players are automatically referred to the relevant disciplinary committee.
Penalty Kick Procedure (Law 21)
When a penalty kick is awarded, the non-offending team may choose to:
- Attempt a goal (place kick or drop kick at the posts – scores 3 points if successful)
- Kick to touch (opposition throws in at lineout; attacking team retains territorial gain)
- Take a quick tap and run
- Take a scrum at the place of the infringement
Opponents must retreat 10 metres from the mark of the infringement until the kick has been taken. They must not move toward the kicker until the kicker begins their approach. Failure to comply is itself a penalty offence.
Offside – Penalty (Law 11)
A player who is persistently offside or gains an advantage from an offside position is penalised with a penalty kick to the opposing team at the place of the infringement. Accidental offside that gives no advantage is penalised with a scrum (Law 11.5).