Can soccer managers get yellow and red cards during a game?

I promise you that this article is not here because Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma are playing in the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen. The Portuguese manager has nothing to do with it. The question of whether managers and members of staff on the touchline can receive warnings and even be sent off is one that regularly sweeps through the hallways of football fans across the globe. Poor Jose has none of the blame.

Can managers get yellow and red cards?

The short answer: yes. Anyone involved in the team can get a red or yellow card, and the rules work exactly the same as with the players on the pitch. Managers, assistants, technical staff can receive warnings and sendings off for persistent annoyances, even from their sidelined position next to the pitch. The fourth official - the referee in charge of keeping the peace between the two teams on the sideline, will normally notify the main referee in order to make the trip over to the side of the pitch to hand out any necessary punishment. A red card for a manager will be reviewed while a ban length is decided by the relevant body.

Can substitutes get sent off from the bench?

In the same way that members of staff can make the early walk down the tunnel, substitutes can be yellow and red carded by the referee, even when not playing. Unlike the playing members of the squad who normally see cards for tough tackles, any form of behaviour deemed unacceptable can be the driving force behind the referee brandishing a yellow or even red card for the player, regardless of whether or not they’re wearing their shin pads or a training vest.

And, dear reader, since you’ve reached this point and you’re still with me, I can indeed confirm that Jose Mourinho’s presence on the touchline against Bayer Leverkusen was indeed the inspiration behind this question being asked and answered.