What is considered a non-penal foul aimed at punishing opponents?

The choice of dangerous play is considered a non-penal foul because it does not necessarily involve physical contact with an opponent, yet it can pose a risk of injury. Dangerous play is assessed based on the action of the player, which could involve actions such as high kicks or playing the ball in a manner that may endanger other players.

This type of foul is penalized with an indirect free kick for the opposing team, rather than issuing a direct foul which would typically result in a more immediate punitive measure, like a free kick for contact-based fouls. The emphasis is on the nature of the act and its potential to cause harm without direct aggression or foul play aimed specifically at the opponent, which distinguishes it from options that involve direct confrontational actions like holding, striking, or pushing an opponent, all of which are considered penal fouls as they involve deliberate interference with another player’s ability to compete.