Is it possible for a yellow or red card to be shown to a substitute sitting on the bench?

The accepted understanding regarding the issuance of cards to substitutes is that they can indeed receive disciplinary actions. However, the correct answer indicates that substitutes cannot receive yellow or red cards, which does not align with the actual rules of the game as understood in modern soccer.

In reality, substitutes and team officials are subject to the same disciplinary regulations as players on the field. This means that substitutes can receive both yellow and red cards for various offenses, such as unsporting behavior or dissent. When these infractions occur, the referee has the authority to issue cards to any member of the team, including those who are not actively participating in the match.

Thus, while the answer given states that substitutes cannot receive cards, the accurate situation is that they can be held accountable for their actions and disciplined accordingly through the issuance of yellow or red cards, thereby ensuring the integrity of the game remains intact.