WFA Law – Blue and Red Cards Explained

Walking football uses a blue and red card system to manage repeated offences, dangerous play and poor behaviour. This system protects player safety and encourages respect across the game.

This guide explains how the card system works and what happens when players are sin-binned or sent off.

Totting Up and Blue Cards

If a player commits three minor infringements, such as running or foul play, the referee may issue a blue card. This sends the player to the sin bin for a set period of playing time.

Sin Bin Durations

The referee decides which offences count towards the “totting up” process.

Repeated Offences

• If a sin-binned player shows dissent, they receive another blue card followed by a red card

• If they commit three more infringements after returning, they are sent off

• A second blue card followed by a red card also results in dismissal

Red Card Offences

A red card may be shown for:

• Serious foul play

• Reckless or dangerous behaviour

• Abusive or threatening language

• Aggressive conduct

A red carded player must leave the playing area completely before play restarts.

Playing Advantage

If advantage is played and the offending player then becomes involved again, the referee will stop play, issue discipline and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition.

Part of the official WFA Walking Football Rules Hub:
👉 /walking-football-rules/