When can a player be cautioned with a yellow card?

A player can be cautioned with a yellow card for unsporting behavior, dissent, or delaying the restart of play because these actions violate the principles of fair play and sportsmanship that are essential to the sport. Unsporting behavior includes acts that are contrary to the spirit of the game, such as reckless challenges or provocative gestures. Dissent involves showing disagreement with the referee's decisions, which undermines the authority of the officiating team. Delaying the restart of play can disrupt the flow of the game and is penalized as it affects the overall pace and fairness of the match.

While scoring a goal is a positive outcome and does not warrant a caution, leaving the field without the referee's consent typically does not result in a yellow card unless it is done to avoid a punishment. Excessive goal celebrations, while they may be seen as unsporting, typically do not lead to a yellow card unless they cross the line into unsporting behavior or provoke opposition players or spectators. Thus, the circumstances surrounding actions that warrant caution are nuanced, with the specific categories of unsporting behavior, dissent, and delaying play being clear infractions deserving of a yellow card.