What do careless, reckless and excessive force mean when referring to fouls?

Question

In Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) of the IFAB Laws of the Game, it states that:

A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

What do careless, reckless and excessive force mean, and do these have any affect on other sanctions (eg. cards) that a player might receive?

Answer 1

In Law 12.1, the following definitions are provided for careless, reckless, and excessive force:

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Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed.

Examples of careless fouls are shown here, here and here.

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Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned

A player who commits a reckless foul is cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

In Law 12.3:

There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player:

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• commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence

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Examples of reckless fouls are shown here, here¹ and here.

^{1 - The referee appears to give the decision to the incorrect team here.}

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Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off

A player who commits an excessively forceful foul is sent-off for:

• serious foul play, if the foul was committed whilst challenging for the ball; or
• violent conduct, the foul was committed while not challenging for the ball.

In Law 12.3:

A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

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Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.

Examples of excessively forceful fouls are shown here, here and here.

Answer 2

Usually related to intent or generally careless use of your body and lack of control to the point where you're simply irresponsible in an already dangerous sport.