[Hieronymus]

My understanding was that intent is part of the analysis on issuing a red card.

Technically it’s not in the rule, but practically soccer isn’t like the high sticking rule in hockey where there is no discretion and intent is irrelevant.

From 12.4: serious foul play
A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.


Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

The tell that the referee got this wrong is it’s only the minimum 1 game suspension. Direct red cards for violent conduct or serious foul play almost always go at least 2+ games instead.

[Hieronymus]

My understanding was that intent is part of the analysis on issuing a red card.

Technically it’s not in the rule, but practically soccer isn’t like the high sticking rule in hockey where there is no discretion and intent is irrelevant.

From 12.4: serious foul play
A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.


Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

The tell that the referee got this wrong is it’s only the minimum 1 game suspension. Direct red cards for violent conduct or serious foul play almost always go at least 2+ games instead.