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New Red-Card Option Targets Mass Protests Against Referee Decisions
The IFAB has approved a new competition option allowing referees to send off players or team officials who encourage teams to leave the pitch in protest at a decision.
The Ref’s News · 11 August 2026
Referees could be given stronger powers to deal with one of football’s most extreme forms of dissent under a new addition to the Laws of the Game for 2026/27.
The IFAB has approved an option allowing competition organisers to introduce a red card for a player who leaves the field in protest at a referee’s decision. Players, substitutes or team officials who instruct or encourage others to leave the pitch in protest can also be sent off.
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