Can a player receive a caution for illegally handling the ball to prevent an opponent from gaining possession?

A player can indeed receive a caution for illegally handling the ball to prevent an opponent from gaining possession. This situation falls under the rules governing unsporting behavior, where a player deliberately uses their hands or arms to interfere with an opponent's ability to play the ball. According to the Laws of the Game, such actions are considered unsporting if they occur during active play and not as a result of a lawful attempt to play the ball.

This caution can happen regardless of the distance of the opponent or the location on the field, emphasizing that the intent to impede an opponent's play through illegal handling warrants a caution, thereby maintaining the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship in the match. In contrast, other options such as limiting the caution to specific distances or areas are not consistent with the broader application of the rules regarding handling the ball.