If a goalkeeper gets a red card, the team plays a player short, and either a substitute goalkeeper or an outfield player goes in goal.
Immediate effect
The goalkeeper is sent off. The team plays one player short unless it can substitute.
Replacement
If subs remain, a field player is taken off and a substitute goalkeeper comes on. Or a field player takes the gloves.
Suspension
Automatic ban of at least one match (more for violent conduct).
Rule
The referee shows a red card for serious foul play, violent conduct, denying a clear goal chance and more.
Penalty
The team may face a free kick or penalty.
Immediate consequences
A goalkeeper sent off with a straight red card must leave the field, and the team plays one player short. Under the Laws of the Game of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a substitute can replace the goalkeeper only if the team still has substitutions available, and an outfield player must come off or the team plays with ten using a field player in goal.
- Typically, the team removes an outfield player to bring on the substitute goalkeeper if the red card happens when no goalkeeper is on the bench, or an outfield player takes the gloves.
- A red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity inside the penalty area results in a penalty kick for the opponent and since 2016 a yellow card instead of red in some cases when the foul is an attempt to play the ball.
- Red card suspensions usually result in at least a one-match ban.
Disciplinary aspects
Competition rules set longer bans for serious offenses such as violent conduct, with extra matches added by disciplinary committees. A red card is shown by the referee, and the team cannot replace the sent-off player with a substitute. Teams plan for this by keeping a backup goalkeeper on the bench, which is required in many competitions.
Immediate consequences
When a goalkeeper is sent off, the team plays one player down unless a substitute is available. Teams usually substitute a field player for the substitute keeper, or an outfield player goes in goal. A red card brings a direct penalty and at least a one match suspension.
Disciplinary aspects
Violent conduct or serious foul play can lead to longer bans. If the red card came for denying a goal scoring opportunity, an automatic one match ban applies. Competitions set their own rules.
Laws of the Game
Under IFAB Law 12, a goalkeeper who receives a red card is sent off and cannot be replaced by a named player already on the pitch unless a substitution is available. The team plays with one fewer player. Red card offenses include serious foul play, violent conduct, denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by handball outside the penalty area, and offensive language.
What happens next
The team must put another player in goal. If substitutes remain, a coach often removes an outfield player and brings on the backup goalkeeper. Many leagues apply an automatic suspension of at least one match, extended for violent conduct. A penalty kick awarded for the foul is taken against the replacement keeper. If no goalkeeper substitute is available, an outfield player takes the gloves.
Based on data from the International Football Association Board and FIFA
