Ejection (sports)

In sports, an ejection is a disqualifying action assessed to a player or coach by a game official (such as a referee or umpire), usually for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Many ejections occur for such actions as fighting (or attempting to instigate a fight) and persistent arguing with a game official. Usually, a warning is given to the offender before he/she is actually ejected.

When the offender is ejected, he/she must leave the immediate playing area; in most cases, this means the locker room or other part of the venue out of sight of the playing area. If a player or coach refuses to cooperate, additional sanctions may be levied (such as forfeiting a contest or being suspended).

In most instances, a player or coach who is ejected must serve a suspension; often, this is one game for the first offense, with harsher penalties depending on subsequent ejections and the severity of the offense. Sometimes in professional sports, a fine may be sanctioned against a player or coach.

A player or coach may be "ejected" in any sport, but the most common include baseball, baksetball, football and ice hockey.