What action should the referee take if a player is ejected for inappropriate language after the whistle for halftime?

When a player is ejected for inappropriate language after the whistle for halftime, the appropriate action for the referee is to eject the player and require their team to start the second half with 10 players.

This is because a player who is ejected for misconduct, including inappropriate language, is subject to disciplinary measures regardless of whether the offense occurred during active play or after the whistle (in this case, during halftime). The ejection carries disciplinary consequences that affect the player's eligibility to participate in the game moving forward, so the team cannot simply replace the ejected player for the start of the second half. This ensures that the rules regarding player conduct are upheld, maintaining the integrity of the game and discouraging inappropriate behavior.

The other actions do not align with the rules surrounding ejections. Allowing the team to start with 11 players or issuing only a caution would undermine the severity of the player’s misconduct and fail to enforce the expected standards of behavior in the sport.