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How many referees are there in a regulation soccer match?

There are three. One referee (sometimes called the centre referee), and two assistant referees (formerly called linesmen) who patrol the perimeter of the field and carry flags to signal to the referee. The referee, who is the only one of the three who conducts his duties in bounds on the pitch, is the ruling authority for any given soccer match. His word is law on the pitch.

Who was Ken Aston?

The red and yellow card system was invented by English referee Ken Aston, whose innovation was inspired one day in the late 1960s by the yellow “caution” and red “stop” lights in the streets of London. Aston sat on FIFA’s Referee’s Committee from 1970 to 1972. His card system was first used at the 1970 World Cup. Aston died on October 23, 2001 at the age of 86.

What does a yellow card mean?

The yellow card is a caution issued to a player by the referee. The yellow card may be shown to a player who is guilty of unsporting behaviour, shows dissent by word or action, persistently infringes the Laws of the Game, delays the restart of play, fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or a free kick, enters or reenters the field of play without the referee’s permission, or deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission. Any time a yellow or red card is shown, a “direct” or “indirect kick” will also be awarded.