Soccer followers are used to the drama of referees reaching for yellow and crimson playing cards, however on the U-20 World Cup in Chile, a brand new colour has instantly entered the highlight: inexperienced. The announcement by FIFA surprised many, and inside the first week of the match, this innovation was already making headlines. Coaches, gamers, and followers alike have been left asking the identical query: what does it imply, and the way does it work?
The world first noticed the mysterious inexperienced rectangle flash in South Korea’s 2-1 loss to Ukraine and once more in Morocco’s 2-0 victory over Spain. Within the latter, using this new instrument even modified the end result of a key second within the match. It was not a referee who produced it however a coach, and for the primary time in a FIFA match, a controversial determination was overturned due to it. For supporters within the stands and people watching on tv, the response was instantaneous: soccer had simply taken one other step into uncharted territory. However the query lingered—what precisely was this card meant to do?
Essentially the most high-profile incident got here throughout Morocco vs. Spain. When the referee awarded Spain a penalty, Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi disagreed vehemently. As a substitute of relying solely on protests from the sidelines, Ouahbi reached for the inexperienced card. That single act compelled a assessment of the choice. After watching replays, the referee reversed the decision and rescinded the penalty.
As Spanish gamers appeared surprised, historical past was made. This was the primary time {that a} coach’s direct intervention via a card modified the course of a FIFA competitors. Moroccan followers erupted in celebration, whereas observers worldwide debated whether or not the transfer enhanced equity or undermined the referee’s authority.
VAR referee
Solely a day earlier, South Korea’s coach Lee Chang-won had tried the identical in his aspect’s sport in opposition to Ukraine. His enchantment, nevertheless, didn’t lead to a change, displaying that the cardboard might be highly effective—however not automated.
What’s the inexperienced card?
So, what is that this innovation? FIFA has confirmed that the inexperienced card is a part of a pilot venture launched on the U-20 World Cup. Not like yellow and crimson playing cards, which carry disciplinary penalties, the inexperienced card has a wholly completely different position.
In keeping with FIFA’s announcement: “The inexperienced card is a instrument for coaches, giving them the appropriate to problem refereeing selections throughout a match. It’s linked to the Soccer Video Help (FVS) system, a lighter various to VAR designed for tournaments the place full video officiating just isn’t obtainable.”
Every coach is allowed two challenges per sport. The cardboard can be utilized to assessment selections associated to:
- Penalties
- Objectives (allowed or disallowed)
- Purple playing cards
- Mistaken identification (the place the incorrect participant is booked or despatched off)
When the inexperienced card is proven, the referee personally goes to the monitor to assessment the incident, with out help from a VAR sales space. If the coach’s problem is profitable, the staff retains the appropriate to make use of the cardboard once more later. If not, they lose considered one of their two permitted appeals.
