Conduct, warnings and cards
FIVB · 2025–2028The difference between a warning, a point penalty, expulsion and disqualification.
Rules 20–21 — Respect and warnings
Participants must know the rules, accept decisions respectfully and avoid influencing referees or concealing faults. Only the game captain may ask for clarification. Communication within the team is permitted, while officials, opponents, teammates and spectators must be treated courteously. For minor misconduct, the referee first warns verbally through the game captain and may then show a yellow card. This formal warning is recorded, has no immediate point consequence, and signals that the sanctioning level has been reached.
Rule 21 — Individual escalation
A first instance of rude conduct by a team member receives a red card: point and service to the opponent. For that same person, a second rude offence means expulsion and a third means disqualification. Offensive words or gestures bring expulsion immediately; a second such offence by that person brings disqualification. Physical attack or implied or threatened aggression brings immediate disqualification. Red and yellow together mean expulsion for the rest of the set; shown separately they mean disqualification for the rest of the match. The person goes to the dressing room and an on-court player must be replaced legally or exceptionally. Expulsion and disqualification themselves add no point penalty. Individual sanctions carry across sets; misconduct before or between sets applies in the following set.
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