FIFA has introduced two new cards blue and purple in football, marking another big step in the sport’s evolution. For decades, football has only used yellow cards as warnings and red cards for sending players off the field. Now, FIFA is adding two more cards that work differently not for punishments, but for reviews.
These new cards are part of a system called Football Video Support (FVS), designed for matches that don’t have access to the full Video Assistant Referee (VAR) setup. VAR is expensive and requires a lot of cameras and equipment, which smaller leagues often can’t afford. The FVS system gives them a simpler and cheaper way to review key decisions.
How the Blue and Purple Cards Work
At the start of every game, every coach in every team is given one card, a blue one to one team and a purple one to the other. In the case that a coach disagreed with one of the critical decisions taken by a referee, e.g. a penalty or a red card, he/she may show the card to the fourth official and request him/her to look through it.
After that the referee reviews the event using a limited number of camera shots (usually three or four shots) as opposed to the many camera shots on major leagues.
If the review proves the coach was right, the team keeps their card for another use. If the referee’s original decision is confirmed, the card is lost.
FIFA says these cards can only be used for “clear and obvious errors,” such as deciding whether a goal stands, a penalty should be awarded, or a red card is justified. Offside calls or yellow cards cannot be challenged.
Why FIFA Made This System
Not every football league can afford VAR. Setting up multiple cameras, hiring operators, and maintaining a control center costs millions of dollars. The FVS system helps fill that gap, making fair play possible even for leagues with smaller budgets.
Where It’s Being Tested
FIFA has already tested this system in several tournaments, including the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where Morocco used the card to review a penalty against France. Other events like the Women’s Under-17 World Cup, Italy’s Serie C, and Spain’s Women’s Liga F have also used it successfully. Over 200 matches have taken place with FVS so far, and most referees and players have given positive feedback.
Could It Come to Pakistan?
Experts believe this new system could be very useful for countries like Pakistan, where full VAR setups are too costly. If FIFA’s trials continue to succeed, the blue and purple cards could soon be seen in regional competitions such as Asian Cup or World Cup qualifiers.
The introduction of these new review cards shows FIFA’s commitment to making football fairer and more accessible for everyone not just for big leagues but for developing football nations as well.
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