Football followers around the globe are familiar with the two cards the on-field referee has the power to brandish if and when he deems it necessary. One is a yellow card that acts as caution while another is a red card that leads to a direct sent-off where the penalised player is required to leave the pitch and he or she cannot take any further part in the game. While yellow and red card rules are known by most of the football followers, they now need to be well-versed with 'white card'.
For the first time in football history, a white card was brandished by the on-field referee on January 21 (Saturday). The history was scripted during a women’s derby match between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
The incident occurred at the 45th-minute mark just before half-time when Benfica were in a commanding position, leading their cross-city rivals 3-0. One of the footballers on the pitch complained of illness and medical staff from both camps rushed out to the field to provide assistance.
Just when the medical staff were making their way back to the dugout, the referee reached into her pocket and flashed a white card in recognition of their sportsmanship.
Vociferous fans inside the Estadio da Luz stadium hollered and cheered the on-field referee's decision to brandish the white card.
The white card is primarily designed to recognise acts of fair play during a match, in a bid to 'improve ethical value in the sport'.