Referees will show footballers a PINK CARD at big matches this summer, with new rule implemented
- The United States is preparing to host the 16-team Copa America next month.
- The organizers announced that a new map will be used throughout the tournament
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A pink card is set to be used at this summer’s Copa America after organizers adopted a new rule ahead of the tournament.
South American soccer’s governing body, CONMEBOL, announced the rule, which will be in effect throughout the tournament in the United States.
The pink card will be part of a system that could allow a team to get an extra substitute during matches.
CONMEBOL said the potential sixth substitute could be granted if head injuries and concussion are suspected.
The rule requires the referee or fourth official to be informed, with the official holding up a pink card as part of the system.
A pink card has been introduced and will be used by referees at this summer’s Copa America
The new rule will be used during the Copa America in the United States, which begins next month
The rule requires referees to be informed of a potential concussion, with a pink card shown.
“The CONMEBOL Competitions and Operations Directorate announced that to the five changes per team authorized by the regulations, a potential sixth would be added to take care of the health of the footballers,” said a press release.
“This is an additional substitution in cases of suspected head trauma and concussion.
“To do this, the main referee or fourth referee must be informed and a pink card will be used.”
Once the concussion substitution is made, the opposing team will also be granted an additional substitution according to the rule.
Teams will also have an “Additional Substitution Opportunity,” which can only be used for the additional substitution granted.
Organizers have confirmed that players suspected of having suffered concussion will not be able to return to the field after being substituted.
The player will be taken to the locker room or a medical center after the substitution.
Team doctors will be required to complete and submit a form to the CONMEBOL Medical Committee within 24 hours of the match, outlining details of the concussion assessment, whether the player has been substituted or not.
The opposing team will be granted an additional substitution once the substitution is made.
CONMEBOL’s move comes as soccer’s governing bodies face growing pressure to tighten rules around head injuries and concussions.
The use of the pink card follows the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) approval of permanent concussion replacements in March.
The law officially comes into effect on July 1, but the body said competitions starting before then could implement the protocol sooner.
This allowed the pink card to be used during the Copa America, with the tournament taking place from June 20 to July 14.
The IFAB, however, has so far resisted the potential introduction of temporary concussion substitutes.
The pink card is the latest to be introduced into the game, with the yellow and red cards well established.
Recent years have also seen the introduction of white cards, which have been used on rare occasions to highlight sporting gestures and fair play in the game.
