Italy’s second division of football is set to be the testing ground for an innovative officiating tool that will serve to reward players for actions that promote fair play: the green card.
The green card will form another option along with the typical yellow and red cards for Serie B officials in the opening round of Serie B matches due to begin the weekend of September 6.
Calcionews24.com report that the new card came into being as a response to UEFA’s request to implement a rewards system for play that represents the moral ideals of the game, particularly among youth and development leagues in the European game.
Being rewarded a green card is more of a symbolic act than yellow and red cards, but those that receive one will be noted among the official’s match report at the end of the game.
News of the card comes shortly after Uefa president Michel Platini suggested the advent of a ‘white card’, another third option for officials that would send the recipient off the field for a 10 minute penalty period.
