Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Cautions and Sending-Offs (IFAB Law 12)
The IFAB list of cautionable and sending-off offenses applies in full. Two yellow cards in the same match results in a sending-off (red card by accumulation). A player sent off cannot be replaced; the team plays short for the remainder of the match.
Regular-Season Yellow-Card Accumulation
Yellow cards accumulate across the regular season. The accumulation thresholds and discipline:
- 5 yellows: $250 fine + one-match suspension
- 8 yellows: $500 fine + one-match suspension
- 11 yellows: $750 fine + one-match suspension
- 13 yellows: $1,000 fine + one-match suspension
- After the fourth such suspension in a season, fines are doubled
Good Behavior Incentive
A player automatically reduces their yellow-card accumulation total by one yellow card each time they appear in five consecutive matches without receiving a yellow card, red card, or supplemental discipline. Maximum three reductions per season.
Playoff Yellow-Card Accumulation
- Yellow-card accumulation totals reset entering Round One; reset again before Conference Finals; and reset once more before MLS Cup
- Within each phase, three yellows triggers a one-match suspension
- Red cards trigger suspension for the next eligible match (with extended suspensions at the discretion of the MLS Disciplinary Committee for serious infractions)
MLS Disciplinary Committee Parameters
The MLS Disciplinary Committee (MLS DisCo) reviews on-field incidents post-match under three parameters:
- Parameter 1: officials did not see the incident; the Committee may impose discipline
- Parameter 2: officials saw the incident and issued a red card; the Committee may impose supplemental discipline if the conduct was egregious, threatened player safety, threatened game integrity, or constituted repeat behavior
- Parameter 3: officials saw the incident but did not issue a red card; the Committee may impose a one-match suspension if the panel is unanimous that the offense was a clear and unequivocal red card and was egregious or repeat behavior, or if necessary to protect player safety or the integrity of the game
Official Warnings, Notices, and Bench Discipline
- The Committee may issue Official Warnings for clear simulation/embellishment or for egregious red-card-worthy conduct that was not sanctioned by the referee
- Official Notices flag repeat behavior approaching the discipline threshold
- Subsequent similar offenses by the same player carry suspension risk
- Coaches, staff, and team officials are subject to a separate yellow-card accumulation framework — three yellows = suspension and fine