The Green Card: Morocco vs. Spain Makes History as Football Introduces Coach's Challenge via Video Review

No one would have imagined that a group stage match between Morocco and Spain at the ongoing U-20 World Cup in Chile would make such significant history. Alongside the traditional yellow and red cards, a new tool, the "Green Card," has officially appeared. It was used for the first time during the Morocco vs. Spain match, and subsequently in games like South Africa vs. France and the Nigeria match.

Function of the Green Card: The Coach’s Video Challenge

Unlike the disciplinary cards issued by the referee, the Green Card is designed exclusively for coaches. It grants them the right to challenge a refereeing decision and request a video review (VAR), similar to the "challenge" system utilized in sports such as basketball or tennis.

The use of the Green Card is subject to strict rules:

• The coach is entitled to use the Green Card only twice during the entire match.

• It must be shown within mere seconds of the controversial incident.

• Following the challenge, the referee reviews the video footage to make a final ruling.

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Morocco’s Historical Moment:

The Morocco vs. Spain match featured a pivotal moment when Moroccan coach Mohamed Wahbi used the Green Card in the 78th minute to protest a penalty kick awarded to the Spanish team (La Roja). After the video review, the referee overturned the penalty decision and instead issued a yellow card to the Spanish player for simulation, confirming the Moroccan coach's challenge.

FIFA confirms that this experiment, which it calls "Video Support," is being tested for the first time in an official tournament. The trial will be reviewed and evaluated after the tournament's conclusion to determine the feasibility of adopting it in other competitions in the future.

Microphone Transparency for Enhanced Communication:

In addition to the Green Card, the Youth World Cup is testing another notable technology: the use of a microphone by referees to publicly explain controversial decisions to the spectators inside the stadium. This move aims to increase transparency and bring the game closer to its audience. Thus, FIFA continues to use youth tournaments as a "football laboratory" to test rules and technologies that could reshape the future of football.