Can a player be cautioned or ejected during an interval between periods?

A player can indeed be cautioned or ejected during an interval between periods, and the most accurate understanding of this is that it can happen at any time before the game concludes. This encompasses situations like halftime, stoppages, or any authorized break in play. The rules stipulate that referees maintain authority throughout the entire match duration, which includes these interruptions, allowing them to penalize players for misconduct or unsporting behavior regardless of the play being active.

In practice, this means a player could be cautioned for actions taken during the break, such as dissent, offensive language, or conduct that reflects poorly on the game. This enforcement ensures that standards of conduct are upheld consistently throughout the entire match experience, not just during the active periods of play.

The other scenarios do not fully capture this broader authority of the referee. Limitations on when carding can occur, such as only during active play or specifically after halftime, fail to acknowledge that misconduct can be addressed anytime before the conclusion of the game.