Cooling-Off Periods

Referee signal

• • Blow the whistle.
  • Raise both arms above the head and cross wrists.
  • Uncross arms and push them sideways at shoulder level to send players to their designated area.

Player movement

• • All players must move to and remain in their own penalty area (or another safe area chosen by the referee).
  • Failure to comply may result in a yellow card.

Meeting during suspension

• • Captains, coaches, and any approved officials meet the referee and assistants in the centre circle to:
    • Hear the reason for suspension.
    • Learn expected duration.
    • Receive instructions for resumption.

Team officials & substitutes

• • Must remain off the field in the technical area, except one person to:
    • Provide drinks to players.
    • Assess or treat injured players.

Duration & resumption

• • Referee decides the cooling-off length (weather and incident severity considered).
  • Captains recalled to centre circle when play is ready to restart.
  • A short warm-up period may be allowed before resumption.

Limits

• • Maximum two cooling-off periods per match.
  • If conditions remain unsafe after two periods, match is abandoned.
  • Referee may abandon a match without any cooling-off period if necessary.

Suspension for outside interference

First part of the signal (arms crossed above head) may be used for non-participant interference.

Players may be sent to changing rooms or tunnel area instead of penalty areas for safety.