Imagine a high-stakes soccer match where tensions run high and every move counts. Amid the fierce competition, a player suddenly falls, claiming a foul.
The referee, uncertain, looks towards the fallen player, who then does something remarkable: he gets up, shakes his head, and signals that there was no foul, just an accidental trip.
The crowd murmurs in surprise and admiration as the referee reaches into his pocket, not for the usual yellow or red card but for something different—a green card.
With that lingering thought at the back of your mind, let us go ahead to learn more about the green card, its usage, and so on.
What Does a Green Card in Soccer Mean?
In the 19th century, players and team officials were cautioned and sent off, but FIFA adopted the colored penalty card system only in the 1970 World Cup. Since then, red and yellow cards have been used.
Meanwhile, a “green card” in soccer is an award given to players for displaying exceptional sportsmanship.
Unlike yellow and red cards, which penalize players for fouls and misconduct, the green card is different. It recognizes positive behavior, such as fair play, honesty, and respect toward opponents and referees.
The concept was introduced to encourage and highlight good conduct on the field, promoting a more respectful and enjoyable game for everyone involved.
Although not widely adopted in all soccer leagues, the green card has been used in specific tournaments and regions to reinforce the importance of sportsmanship in the sport.
When Has a Green Card Been Used in Soccer?
In June 2018, the green card was used for the first time during the CONIFA World Football Cup, which is for countries not affiliated with FIFA.
Referee Raymond Mashamba issued a green card twice as Padania and Tuvalu played each other in the CONIFA tournament. During the match, the referee stopped the match, showed a player the green card, and ordered him to leave the pitch.
According to CONIFA regulations, “a player who receives a green card must leave the field of play immediately but can be replaced if his team are yet to use all of their substitutes. A player receiving a green card is not excluded from his team’s next match.”
The tournament’s organizer, Paul Watson, spoke to Sky Sports about the use of the green card at the time.
He said: “We’d really like to clamp down on the dissent problem. Football has a problem with the lack of respect for referees.
“That’s not to say that isn’t also the case in CONIFA games – the players in our tournament still have those traits.
“But it would be nice that instead of it being ignored and therefore in a way condoned, it shouldn’t necessarily cost someone their chance to play at this tournament if they just lose their cool.”
Will It Be Used at the World Cup?
There are no plans to have the green card at the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
However, according to the Telegraph, green cards could be applied in some European tournaments in the 2024/25 season, possibly the English FA Cup, alongside the yellow cards and red cards, which are already familiar to soccer fans.
After it has been used in the top leagues or competitions, FIFA might adopt it for the 2026 World Cup.
Has There Been Another Type of Green Card Used in Soccer?
In the CONIFA tournament, a green card was used for the first time in a disciplinary sense, but it was previously issued in 2016 in Italian Serie B, the second tier of professional soccer in Italy.
Unlike yellow and red cards, the green card rewards sportsmanship. For example, players could receive a green card for admitting to a handball, helping an injured opponent, or correcting a referee’s decision that benefits them unfairly.
Some soccer variants, such as beach soccer, have experimented with the green card. In these formats, it might be used to temporarily send off a player as a less severe punishment than a red card. The green card has also been used to promote fair play at the grassroots level in Ireland.
Final Thoughts
The green card in soccer is a positive initiative to promote fair play and sportsmanship.
By recognizing and rewarding players for their exemplary behavior on the field, the green card helps to foster a more respectful and enjoyable atmosphere in the sport.
While its use is not yet universal, the green card represents a step towards encouraging ethical conduct and reinforcing the true spirit of soccer.
