A red card usually means a player is sent off and cannot keep playing, most commonly in soccer/football. It’s shown by the referee for a serious foul, violent conduct, abusive language, or a second yellow card.

What it means

  • The player must leave the field immediately.
  • The team plays with one fewer player for the rest of the match.
  • In many competitions, the player is also suspended for the next game or more.

Common reasons

  • Serious foul play.
  • Violent behavior.
  • Spitting.
  • Deliberately stopping a clear goal-scoring chance.
  • Getting a second yellow card.

In simple terms

Think of a red card as the referee saying: “You’re out.”

If you mean red card in another context, tell me which one, because it can also mean a warning or penalty in some other settings.