What constitutes a serious foul play in soccer?

Serious foul play in soccer is defined as actions that endanger the safety of another player. This encompasses tackles or challenges that are reckless or excessive, leading to a potential injury. The Laws of the Game emphasize the protection of players, and actions that threaten a player's safety are viewed as serious offenses requiring immediate disciplinary action, typically resulting in a red card.

Minor contact with an opponent does not meet the threshold for serious foul play; instead, it may be considered part of normal gameplay, depending on the context. Similarly, while any foul can result in a free kick, not all fouls display the characteristics necessary to be classified as serious foul play. Disagreement with a referee's decision is a matter of sportsmanship and respect for the game, not a reflection of foul play. Thus, only actions that intentionally or recklessly threaten the safety of another player are categorized as serious foul play.