The introduction of the white card is a recent development in the world of football, and it made its debut in Portugal. Here is the video tweeted by @B24PT
While many football enthusiasts are familiar with red and yellow cards, a new chapter was written in the history of the sport on Sunday in Portugal when a white card was first utilized in a women’s cup quarter-final match between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. The game was progressing in Benfica’s favour at the time the card was shown.
As the match between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon approached half-time with Benfica leading 3-0, referee Catarina Campos made the historic decision to display the white card, to the delight of the Estadio da Luz crowd. While the yellow and red cards have been a staple in the game since their introduction in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, the purpose and use of the white card left many fans confused.
The white card is a new initiative launched by the National Plan for Ethics in Sport (PNED) in Portugal and is intended to recognize acts of sportsmanship on the field. The pilot project is being implemented in the Portuguese leagues with the support of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
In addition to the white card, the Portuguese football authorities have also adopted concussion substitutions and extended stoppage time as a deterrent for teams that attempt to waste time. In this match, when a fan in the stands fell ill and fainted, medics from both teams rushed to assist and the spectator received medical attention within minutes. The white card was shown to acknowledge their actions.
Benfica went on to win the match 5-0 in front of a record crowd for a women’s football game in Portugal.