What is the term for a player being penalized for foul play?

Misconduct is the term used in soccer to describe a player being penalized for foul play. This can involve actions that go against the rules of the game and may warrant a direct free kick or a penalty kick, depending on the nature of the foul. Misconduct can also lead to disciplinary actions such as cautions (yellow cards) or dismissals (red cards), emphasizing the severity of the player's actions on the field.

Other terms, while they may seem similar, do not specifically encapsulate the variety of offenses that might occur under the umbrella of misconduct. For instance, "offside" relates to a specific rule violation concerning player positioning rather than a general term for foul play. "Violation" and "infraction" are broader terms that may refer to any rule breach but do not convey the same depth of disciplinary action associated with misconduct. Therefore, misconduct is the most accurate term for describing penalties imposed on players for foul play.