Green card first used in football

Serie B side Vicenza striker Cristian Galano became the first player to be given a green card for fair play.

In addition to the yellow and red cards that are commonly used, last weekend, in the match between Vicenza and Virtus Entella in Serie B, for the first time in football history, the green card was used by referees.

Earlier this season, referees in Italy's second division discussed the introduction of the green card, which is meant to reward fair play.

Players will be rewarded for fair play.

Striker Cristian Galano admitted that no Virtus Entella defender touched the ball before it crossed the touchline. Initially, the referee awarded Vicenza a corner kick. But after Galano's admission, Virtus Entella were awarded a goal kick.

Serie B president Andrea Abodi admitted the green card would become symbolic. The manager hopes it will bring a positive light to a league that was engulfed in a match-fixing scandal earlier in the season.

"It's a symbolic award. It can be something simple. The important thing is that it recognises a player who has done exemplary work," he said.

At the end of the season, the player with the most green cards will receive a special reward.

"We think football needs positive messages. The sport is often embroiled in controversies that drive people away from the stadium," said Abodi.

According to VNE