Temporary dismissals are a new rule for 2025 designed to cut down on dissent and make the game and experience better for everyone. 

What competitions have temporary dismissals and what are they given for?

• Temporary dismissals apply to all NRF and LOTTO NRFL competitions for yellow cards given for instances of dissent

How do temporary dismissals work?

• On receiving a yellow card for dissent by word or dissent by action (Y5 or Y6), the player will be sent from must immediately leave the field of play for a minimum period of ten minutes and go to the team's assigned technical area  

• The temporary dismissal period is 10 minutes for a 90 minute match or 8 minutes for a shorter match, including any added time

• The player cannot be replaced during the temporary dismissal period

• After the temporary dismissal period, the player can only return to play when the ball goes out of play and return to play when instructed by the match official with the permission of the referee  

• The balance of any temporary dismissal period at half-time will carry over to the second half

What happens if they infringe again?

• If the same player receives another yellow card for any other offence, they are dismissed from the game and cannot be replaced, as per The Laws of the Game. The sanction is a one game minimum for the red card.

More

• Temporary dismissals are included in the Community, League One and LOTTO NRFL competition regulations for 2025

• You can find out more at the International Football Association Board rules of the game site

Article added: Thursday 20 March 2025