Italian football is going to trial a green card for referees.
But it isn’t for when a player commits a foul. It’s pretty much the opposite.
Serie B is the first to test the new card out, which will be shown to a player if they show good conduct or sportsmanship.
It has no impact on the game itself, and doesn’t counteract a yellow card or anything like that, but the player will be noted for commendation at the end of the season.
The idea behind it is to ‘highlight those who help to make the game a game and not a battle by primal instincts.’
It seems like a good idea, to be fair. For all the flack that footballers get, it’d be good to formally show appreciation where it’s deserved.
Here’s a few moments that might have got a green card if they were around then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdL9_H5l0r4
And here’s somebody that would probably have never seen one…
