Explained: What Is A White Card In Football? Why Did Referee Use One During Benfica vs Sporting Lisbon Match?

A white card was never been seen in football before January 21, 2023.

What is the meaning of a white card in football?

Source : Twitter Screengrab/@B24PT

History was made in Portugal when for the very time in professional football, a white card was used by the referee. The incident happened in the middle of a women's cup quarter-final encounter between arch-rivals Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. Benfica were 3-0 up in the 44th minute of the match when the card was shown and those in attendance at the Estadio da Luz gave out a loud cheer. 

While most football fans have gotten used to the yellow and red cards which are used as a way to penalise players and coaching staff for a foul or misconduct during a game since the 1970 edition of the FIFA World Cup, fans may wonder what is the meaning of the white card in football?

What Is A White Card In Football?

A white card was never been seen in football before January 21 simply because they are a new introduction to the game. A white card can now be shown in the Portugal league to recognise acts of sportsman spirit and fair play.

The usage of this new card is part of Portugal's National Plan for Ethics in Sport (PNED) to improve the ethical value in the sport. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has implemented the usage of this card in all their tournaments. This isn't the only new measure implemented in the country who have also adopted concussion substitutes as well as the longer stoppage time- something which hogged the limelight during the group stage matches of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

As equipas médicas de Benfica e Sporting receberam cartão branco após assistirem uma pessoa que se sentiu mal na bancada 👏 pic.twitter.com/ihin0FAlJF

— B24 (@B24PT) January 21, 2023

Why Did The Referee Use The Card During Benfica vs Sporting Lisbon Match? 

In the dying minutes of the first half of this fixture, medical staff from both clubs had rushed to aid a fan in the stands who suddenly fell ill and fainted. Soon after the health emergency was dealt with, Portuguese referee Catarina Campos flashed the white card for the medics of the on-field rivals.

The white card, however, will not be seen in other European League matches anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the match also went down in history books for setting a new attendance record for a women's football match in Portugal. As many as 15,032 people turned up to watch this game beating the previous record of 14,221 which was set in May last year. Benfica went on to win the game 5-0 to proceed to the semi-final.