White card in football: Meaning, Use, Reaction and History (2025 Report)

White Card in Football: The white card has made its maiden appearance in professional football. History was made on January 21, 2023, when a football referee in the Portuguese Women’s League flashed a white card for the first time. But what does a white card in football mean?

It is now on record that referee Catarina Campos showed the white card during a women’s cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.

The white card was shown during a clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica women’s teams in the women’s Portuguese League Cup, a match in which Benfica won 5-0.

Football fans all over the world are familiar with the yellow and red cards that referees use.

They were first used in the 1970 World Cup to punish fouls and disruptions to the game.

Now we have the white card used for the first time. This is really interesting. But what does it mean? Read on to find out all you need to know about the use of the white card in football.

While red and yellow cards have been standard for decades, the introduction of the white card added a new dimension to refereeing, specifically aimed at recognizing fair play and sportsmanship. This report explores the meaning, use, reactions, and history of the white card in football.

What is the meaning of the white card in football?

Portuguese authorities introduced the white card in football as part of a new initiative to encourage teams to act in a sporting manner and receive immediate positive recognition.

The white card is designed to ‘improve ethical value in the sport.’

It can be shown to anyone involved in fair play and is intended to improve sports ethics.

Unlike the yellow and red cards that punish offenses, the white card encourages good sporting behavior.

Essentially, the card is designed to give players, coaches, or members of staff immediate recognition for a positive act during a match.

The white card move is part of a new initiative in Portugal to encourage teams to act in a sportsmanlike manner and receive immediate recognition for their efforts.

As already stated, the white card immediately recognizes a positive action during a football game.

The initiative is not yet widespread and is currently limited to Portugal, but it is part of a larger series of new initiatives in football.

The white card is one of several measures that have been implemented in Portugal. Other initiatives include concussion replacements and longer stoppage times, as seen during the recent World Cup in Qatar.

Use of the White Card in Football

The white card has been deployed in several leagues and competitions, mostly on an experimental basis. Its primary function is to encourage players, coaching staff, and even fans to uphold the spirit of fair play. Some of the notable ways in which the white card is used include:

Recognizing Medical Personnel: The first notable use of the white card occurred in Portugal during a women’s cup match in January 2023. A referee showed the white card to medical teams who quickly responded to assist an injured player, acknowledging their role in maintaining player safety.
Honoring Fair Play: Players who admit to fouls, return the ball to opponents after an incorrect referee decision, or display exemplary sportsmanship can be awarded a white card.
Encouraging Positive Coaching Behaviors: Coaches who promote respect for referees and opposition teams may receive a white card as a way to set an example for fair play.
Acknowledging Ethical Gestures by Fans: Some leagues have considered awarding white cards for significant acts of sportsmanship by supporters, such as assisting injured spectators or upholding anti-racism initiatives.

Why was the first white card in football shown?

The white card was shown to medical personnel from both teams shortly before halftime after they rushed to the aid of a fan who felt ill in the stands.

The crowd rose to their feet to applaud the medics as they walked back to the dugout after the card was shown to them. Quite impressive, if you ask me!

This ‘third card’ has received a mixed response from fans on social media.

Reactions about the white card

The white card was introduced to football midway through the women’s cup quarter-final match between fierce Portuguese rivals Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

Benfica was leading 3-0 against their cross-city opponents when the card was shown, and the fans in attendance at the Estadio da Luz reacted positively to its appearance.

There was a warm reception from fans present at the stadium when the white card was shown. But what is the reaction on social media?

The white card, like the extra stoppage time in the World Cup, has elicited a mixed reaction on social media.

Many people praised the card, expressing their appreciation for what it represents.

Some fans support the idea, stating that it will help protect supporters, players, and managerial staff.

Others, on the other hand, couldn’t see the point of what was essentially a symbolic gesture. ‘Effectively means nothing as far as I can tell,’ one Twitter user responded.

One fan claimed that it was strange to have the card in the game without a reward. He wrote, “What do you get for it? It seems odd to have a card that’s essentially a pat on the back.”

Another Twitter user commented: “There’s already so much time wasted with the ball out of play; are we seriously going to stop play even more to hand out meaningless cards?”

Positive Reactions:

Encouraging Sportsmanship: Many football stakeholders appreciate the initiative as it fosters integrity and ethical conduct on and off the field.
Inspiring Younger Generations: Youth academies and grassroots football programs see the white card as a motivational tool to instill good values in young players.
Promoting a Positive Image: Governing bodies, including FIFA and UEFA, view the white card as a way to reinforce football’s core values and combat unsportsmanlike behavior.

Criticism and Challenges:

Lack of Competitive Significance: Unlike red and yellow cards, which directly impact the game, some argue that the white card has little effect on match outcomes.
Subjectivity in Issuance: There is concern over the consistency of referees in awarding the white card, as acts of fair play can sometimes be interpreted differently.
Limited Adoption: As of 2025, the white card has not been universally implemented, with major leagues like the English Premier League and La Liga yet to adopt it fully.

When was the white card first mentioned? || History of the white card

Was the Sporting Lisbon Women vs. Benfica Women’s football match the first time the white card was mentioned? Isn’t this already mentioned? Yes, it has been mentioned some years before.

To put this matter straight, there has been a technical mention of the white card before its use in Portugal. Former UEFA president Michel Platini previously proposed the use of a white card but for different reasons.

Michel Platini had previously called for the introduction of a white card as a punishment for dissent, with guilty players serving a 10-minute suspension.

Platini suggested the white card to help combat the ‘craze of contesting the referee,’ which he branded as a veritable epidemic in football.

However, the Frenchman’s ideas were abandoned.

Timeline of Key Events:

January 2023: First white card shown in a professional football match in Portugal.
Mid-2023: FIFA acknowledges the white card as an experimental fair play initiative.
2024: UEFA trials the white card in select youth tournaments and lower divisions.
2025: Ongoing debates about including the white card in major international tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.

Future of the White Card in Football

As football continues to evolve, the white card is expected to undergo further modifications to increase its relevance and acceptance. Possible future developments include:

Integration into FIFA Tournaments: If successful in domestic competitions, FIFA may consider implementing the white card in global tournaments like the World Cup.
Statistical Recognition: Players and teams may start accumulating white card awards, with potential incentives such as fair play points or financial rewards.
Expansion to VAR Decisions: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews could incorporate white cards for recognizing sportsmanship incidents that may go unnoticed by on-field referees.

When will the white card become a global thing in football?

The white card initiative is still in its early stages and is currently limited to Portugal. But it is part of a larger move in football. We hope it is widespread soonest.

It remains to be seen whether the white card will be used in other football leagues around the world, including the UK, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and other football federations.

Before we see the white card in all the football leagues in the world, those who make and oversee the game’s rules, the International Football Association Board (FIFA), would have to discuss whether it could be an option.

It is unlikely that we will see the card brought into the Premier League and other major leagues anytime soon.

However, let’s keep watching how events will turn out in the near future.

Conclusion:

We have witnessed the use of another card in football other than yellow and red for the first time in over 50 years. We hope that we will see more of the white card in football in the years to come.

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