A match ban is a type of punishment given to players who have been involved in violent conduct or serious foul play during a football (soccer) match. The player is banned from playing any further matches, including both domestic and international games, for an extended period of time - usually ranging from one game to several months, depending on the severity of the offense. This penalty effectively removes the player from participating in competitive play until their ban has been served, thus protecting other players from potential harm while also serving as a deterrent against future misconduct.