Football is not just a sport, it must be an emotion for many people. People who know nothing about football also heard about Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It is because of their gameplay and style. Moreover, football has some penalty cards, such as red and yellow cards, that play an important role in the game. Even your favourite player must have got football penalty cards at least once. Why do they use a penalty card? Why is it so important? Well, we are going to cover everything in this blog. From the card’s names to their importance, you will get everything to know. So, let’s get started.
What are the Football Penalty Cards?
Football, or soccer, is a game in which the referee uses cards during matches. The cards indicate the behaviour of the player on the field during the match. Moreover, there are mainly two cards used in football, and they are red and yellow cards. There is another card called a white card, which is not used to penalise the player but to praise them for fair play. The power of the cards is in the referee’s hands. Furthermore, the red and yellow cards play an important role in maintaining discipline and peace among the players. IFBA is looking forward to adding another card as a “blue card” as a warning card.
What is the Red Card in Football?
The red card is one of the most dangerous in football. The card is given to the player by the referee for a serious foul. If a player conducts violently, uses abusive and offensive language, and causes a handball fall when the opposing team is about to earn a score, they instantly receive a red card.
Moreover, if a player receives a red card, immediately leave the field, and there will be no replacement for that match. The team must compete with one less player. Also, the player will be banned from the next games. It impacts the team and they may end up losing the match. Furthermore, if any team is left with seven players after receiving five red cards, the match has to be abandoned and the opponent wins the match.
What is the Yellow Card in Football?
The yellow card is important for players but it is less powerful than the red card. A player receives a yellow card for an offence, such as disagreement, breaking the game’s laws, roaming in the field without the referee’s permission, and more. You can play the match after receiving the first yellow card.
Furthermore, if a player games two yellow cards, they must leave the field immediately. It is because, in football, or soccer, two yellow cards are equal to a red card. If in a league tournament, a player receives two yellow cards they must be banned for the next match. But if a player gets yellow cards in two matches, one is in the current match and another one is in the next match, the player must ban for the next game. Therefore, red and yellow cards are the most dangerous cards in the game because they are the elimination cards.
What is a White Card?
The white card is a card which is used to give praise on fair gameplay to the player. The card was introduced in the match between Lisbon and Benfica on January 21, 2023. During the match, a fan fell ill, so the doctors from both teams helped the fan. The referee who was appointed on the field gave a white card for the first time in history to both teams. Back then, the white card was used in the game when a player played a fair game. So, it is not a football penalty card but an appreciation card.
What is the Blue Card in Football?
The blue card is a football penalty card given to the player for misbehaviour. With this card, a player faces a 10-minute elimination, and after that, they can continue the game. However, the card is still in its trial period and has not been officially implemented. IFAB introduced the card in 2023. The card only applies if a player uses dissenting words or actions or does fouls in the game, such as pulling a t-shirt to snatch the ball.
Bottom Line
Football fans must be well aware of football penalty cards. There are two main penalty cards in football: red and blue cards. If a player misbehaves with the referee or the respected teams, they will get a yellow card as a warning. Moreover, if they repeat the action, they get one more yellow card or red card. In football or soccer, two yellow cards are equal to one red card. Furthermore, the game also has a white card for fair gameplay. IFAB launched a new card, which is a blue card for 10 minutes of elimination.
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