Actually it could be considered unsportsmanlike.

3. Disciplinary action  The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the fieldof play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after thematch ends (including kicks from the penalty mark).  If, before entering the field of play at the start of the match, a player commitsa sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player takingpart in the match (see Law 3.6); the referee will report any other misconduct.  A player who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on or offthe field of play, against an opponent, a team-mate, a match official or any otherperson or the Laws of the Game, is disciplined according to the offence.  The yellow card communicates a caution and the red card communicates asending-off.  Only a player, substitute or substituted player may be shown the red or yellowcard. Delaying the restart of play to show a card  Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, play must not berestarted until the sanction has been administered.

Advantage  If the referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution / send offwould have been issued had play been stopped, this caution / send off must beissued when the ball is next out of play, except when the denial of an obviousgoal-scoring opportunity results in a goal the player is cautioned forunsporting behaviour.  Advantage should not be applied in situations involving serious foul play,violent conduct or a second cautionable offence unless there is a clearopportunity to score a goal. The referee must send off the player when the ball

is next out of play but if the player plays the ball or challenges/interferes withan opponent, the referee will stop play, send off the player and restart with anindirect free kick.  If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continuesholding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.

Cautionable offences

A player is cautioned if guilty of:

• unsporting behaviour

Cautions for unsporting behaviour  There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player:

• attempts to deceive the referee e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)

• changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’spermission• commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence• commits a foul or handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack •  handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt issuccessful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal• makes unauthorised marks on the field of play

•  plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave

• shows a lack of respect for the game

•  uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball (including from a free kick) to thegoalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands

• verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart