If a player argues after a foul is called, what should the referee do?

When a player argues after a foul is called, the appropriate response is to caution the player and allow the game to continue. Cautioning the player serves to address dissent, which is an important aspect of maintaining discipline and respect within the game. The referee must take actions that uphold game integrity and ensure that players understand that arguing with decisions is not acceptable behavior.

In this scenario, by issuing a caution, the referee communicates that while the player may be frustrated, their actions will not be tolerated. This also acts as a preventive measure to avoid escalation of dissent among other players on the field. Continuing the game after addressing the player with a caution allows the match to proceed without severe disruption, as opposed to more extreme actions that might interrupt the flow of play significantly.

The other choices involve either ignoring the situation, which could lead to further dissent, or applying penalties that might be disproportionate; for instance, awarding a direct free kick for arguing or removing the player with a yellow card (thus misunderstanding the situation), could result in unjust repercussions for the player and the team. Thus, the cautioning approach balances the need for authority with the necessity of keeping the game moving.