Video re-emerges of the extraordinary moment a referee brandished a WHITE CARD for the first time EVER in a football match in Portugal... as refs' chiefs prepare to announce plans for a new blue card to be trialled
- A referee showed a white card for the first time in a Portuguese game last year
- The rarely used card is given to recognise and encourage fair play in the game
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A video has resurfaced of the first ever white card being shown in a football match, as the International Football Association Board (IFAB) prepare to approve plans for a new blue card to be trialled.
The blue card is set to be introduced by football's lawmakers, and would see players sin-binned for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards match officials.
It would be the first new card officially added to the professional game since yellow and red cards were first introduced at the 1970 World Cup, and IFAB are expected to publish their protocols today, with the blue card potentially set to be trialled in next season's FA Cup.
However, there has been another colour card that has been used in recent years, with a white card being shown in a women's game in Portugal in January 2023.
Referee Catarina Campos brandished the card – shown to recognise and encourage fair play – during a cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica in Lisbon, and footage has re-emerged of the incident.
![Referee Catarina Campos showed the white card during a women's cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica in January 2023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/25/13/66862387-11665671-image-m-50_1674652976056.jpg)
Referee Catarina Campos showed the white card during a women's cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica in January 2023
![It came after someone in the dugout fell ill, with medical staff from both teams helping them](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/23/08/66862385-11665671-image-a-33_1674463540812.jpg)
It came after someone in the dugout fell ill, with medical staff from both teams helping them
![The referee brandished it as a recognition of their sportsmanlike conduct during the match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/23/08/66862389-11665671-image-a-35_1674463547050.jpg)
The referee brandished it as a recognition of their sportsmanlike conduct during the match
![IFAB are now set to trial a blue card that will see players sin-binned for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards match officials](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/09/09/81024101-13065071-International_Football_Association_Board_has_signed_off_on_trial-a-2_1707472411664.jpg)
IFAB are now set to trial a blue card that will see players sin-binned for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards match officials
Shortly before half-time in the Taca de Portugal Feminina match – the Portuguese equivalent of the Women's FA Cup – the official showed the card as she would have a red or yellow, and received a good reception from the crowd at the Estadio da Luz.
Someone on a bench in the dugout had fallen ill, with medical staff from both teams quickly going to their aid.
The referee took out the card and showed it to members of both sides' medical teams, prompting a warm reception from fans.
The card can be shown to recognise and encourage fair play and is designed to 'improve ethical value in the sport'.
The move was part of a new initiative in Portugal to encourage sides to act in a sporting manner and receive instant recognition for their positive actions.
The white card was then used again nine months later, once more in Portugal, in a men's fifth division match after a remarkable act of sportsmanship.
Playing in a lower league game, the forward was presented with a golden opportunity to score when the opposing defender gave the ball away on the edge of his own penalty box and immediately went down injured and in significant pain.
![A player was also shown a white card in a Portuguese fifth division game last year after they kicked the ball out of play when through on goal due to a serious injury to an opponent](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/09/09/76695509-13065071-A_player_was_shown_a_white_card_in_Portugal_for_their_sporting_a-a-1_1707472152001.jpg)
A player was also shown a white card in a Portuguese fifth division game last year after they kicked the ball out of play when through on goal due to a serious injury to an opponent
Many would have run through and tried to score, but the attacker quickly realised the defender was badly hurt and turned away from goal before kicking the ball out for a throw-in so he could receive treatment.
The sporting gesture was applauded by the fans in attendance, and was swiftly recognised by the referee who walked over to the player and brandished the white card.
The referee and the forward shook hands after the card was given, while a medic ran onto the pitch to attend to the injured player.
Fortunately, he was able to get back to his feet and was helped off the pitch by the medic and his opponent to warm applause from the crowd.