A foul in football (soccer) occurs when a player unfairly challenges or interferes with an opponent while the ball is in play. According to the official Laws of the Game set down by the International Football Association Board (IFAB; FIFA-affiliated governing body for football), fouls include actions such as kicking, tripping, pushing, charging, striking, holding, shirt pulling, tackling an opponent before playing the ball, or handling the ball (except by a goalkeeper inside their own penalty area). Referees also consider whether a challenge is careless, reckless, or uses excessive force when deciding whether to award a foul. Depending on the nature and location of the offense, the punishment may be a direct or indirect free kick, a penalty kick, a yellow card, or a red card. (Read: Soccer Slang 101: A Glossary of Football Terminology.)
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