What is a white card? Why is it displayed by the referees? And could we see him in the Premier League? Everything you need to know about the new initiative after its use in Portugal this weekend
- Referee made history in Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica match in Portugal
- The official showed a white card for the first time in sports history
- The “third card” received a mixed response from fans on social media
Football history was made on Saturday when a white card was shown for the first time in a professional game in Portugal.
Football fans are used to red and yellow cards for fouls and misdemeanors in a match, introduced more than 50 years ago during the 1970 World Cup.
Portugal have now introduced a third color as part of a series of new initiatives in the country, which also includes increased stoppage time and concussion substitutes.
Referee Catarina Campos showed the white card in a Women’s Cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica on Saturday
And it was used for the first time in the women’s cup match between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica in Lisbon.
It came after someone on the bench in the dugouts fell ill late in the first half.
Medical staff from both teams quickly came to their aid with referee Catarina Campos showing it off to members of both teams’ medical teams, prompting a warm reception from the fans.
This happened after someone in the dugout fell ill, with the help of medical personnel from both teams.
What is a carte blanche and when is it used?
The card can be shown to recognize and encourage fair play and is designed to ‘enhance ethical value in sport’.
The move is part of a new initiative in Portugal to encourage teams to act in a sporting manner and receive instant recognition for their positive actions.
The white card makes it possible to immediately recognize a positive act during a football match.
The initiative is not yet widespread and is currently in the hands of Portugal, but it is part of a wider series of new introductions to football.
The referee held it up as an acknowledgment of their sportsmanlike conduct during the match
What was the response?
Much like the extra stoppage time seen at the World Cup, the white card received a somewhat mixed reaction on social media.
Many people responded with praise, showing their appreciation for what the card represents.
However, others couldn’t quite see the point of what is essentially a token gesture.
One Twitter user replied, “Actually it doesn’t mean anything as far as I know.”
Could we see him in the Premier League?
It’s unlikely we’ll see the card enter the Premier League anytime soon.
For now, this remains a Portuguese-only initiative – rather than anything run by the International Football Association Board – so eyes will be kept on how it is received in the coming months.
