When a Premier League player receives a yellow or red card, it not only affects their playing time due to potential suspensions but also comes with financial penalties.
The FA provides referees with a set of disciplinary codes aligned with Law 12.3 of the Laws of the Game. These codes, categorized under 15 charge types, inform players and clubs about the consequences of cautions and dismissals, including fines, suspensions, and penalty points. Match officials use these codes to report disciplinary actions after each game.
Charge codes are divided into two groups: ‘C’ for yellow card offences and ‘S’ for red card offences. For instance, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was fined £10 for a yellow card against Nottingham Forest, as time-wasting falls under the C4 category, which applies equally to Premier League and lower-tier players. All yellow card offences carry the same financial penalty, except for dissent cautions below the eighth tier, which result in a temporary suspension rather than a fine.
Red cards, however, come with steeper penalties. A second yellow card dismissal (S7) or denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity (S4/S5) results in a £35 fine and a one-match suspension. More serious offences, such as spitting (S3), lead to a £55 fine, a six-match ban, and seven penalty points. Offensive language (S6) incurs a £45 fine and a two-match suspension, while violent conduct and serious foul play have their own strict penalties.
For example, Eddie Nketiah, Marc Guehi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, all sent off for second yellow cards in a match between Crystal Palace and Brighton, received the same £35 fine as players in county leagues. Red card fines also include a £15 administration fee, reinforcing the importance of maintaining discipline on the pitch.
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