The first ‘green card’ in football history has been wielded at the U20 World Cup.
Red and yellow cards are commonplace in the game, having first been introduced at the 1970 World Cup, but now green cards are being tested as a major change to the beautiful game.
World football’s governing body FIFA is trialling the new card for the first time at the U20 World Cup this month, which is being held in Chile.
The idea behind the green card is to allow head coaches the opportunity to challenge refereeing decisions and request VAR reviews – or Football Video Support (FVS) reviews in some tournaments – at a limit of two appeals every match.
Once a manager wishes to challenge the referee over a decision, they can show a green card to force the official to take a second look at the pitchside monitor, although the cards available to them are either blue or purple in colour.
The challenge system mirrors similar scenarios in American football, basketball, cricket and tennis – and gives referees another opportunity to review the incident.
The first ever ‘green card’ in football history has been shown – even though it looks purple!
Mexico’s manager at the U20s World Cup brandished the card to challenge a refereeing call
The card was also used in Spain’s game against Morocco, where the official went to the pitchside monitor and overturned a decision in favour of the African team
Referees will still be advised to check the monitor for ‘clear and obvious’ errors involving goals, penalties and red cards, as they do currently do today within the framework of VAR, but this new system intends to give head coaches more influence over calls made throughout a game.
The first green card incident occurred on Sunday, when Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi challenged a penalty awarded to Spain.
After the card was shown, the referee went to his pitchside monitor to review the incident and opted to overturn his original decision because of a dive, booking the Spanish player instead. Morocco then went on to win the match 2-0.
FIFA intends that the system will improve fairness and also lessen the number of refereeing controversies in football.
Only time will tell whether the green card sticks around in football in the long term.
In January 2023, the first white card in football history was shown during a women’s match in Portugal, with the country’s FA keen to find a new way of recognising fairy play and ‘improving ethical value in the sport’.
FIFA, governed by president Gianni Infantino (above), hopes that the green card system will improve fairness and also lessen the number of refereeing controversies in football
A white card was shown in Portugal two years ago for a different reason – but it didn’t catch on
Shortly before half-time in the Taca de Portugal Feminina match – the Portuguese equivalent of the Women’s FA Cup – the official showed the card as she would have a red or yellow, and received a good reception from the crowd at the Estadio da Luz.
Someone on a bench in the dugout had fallen ill, with medical staff from both teams quickly going to their aid.
The referee took out the card and showed it to members of both sides’ medical teams, prompting a warm reception from fans.
Despite receiving a positive reception during the match, the white card failed to break through into the wider football landscape.
