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Managers show green cards to referees after major rule change in U20 World Cup
Oct 04 2025 11:38 · By Kostas Lianos/Kostas Lianos · 5 Reads
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REFEREES have been shown green cards by managers as part of a new rule being trialled.
Football fans are familiar with the yellow and red card rule, which has been prevalent in the beautiful game ever since the 1970 World Cup.
5 A referee was shown a green card during the Under-20 World Cup Credit: Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
5 Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi challenged a penalty decision against Spain Credit: AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
5 Other managers went on to brandish the green card in the competition, such as Mexico boss Eduardo Arce Credit: Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
5 And so did Panama boss Jorge Dely Valdes Credit: Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
But Fifa are trying out new cards with several trial systems taking place across the board.
One of them is being put to the test during the Under-20s World Cup in Chile.
Fans got to witness a very unfamiliar sight on Sunday during a group game between Morocco and Spain .
The Moroccan national football team's manager Mohamed Ouahbi showed the referee a green card.
That new proposed card rule is being used to challenge a ref's decision and give more power to managers regarding VAR calls.
Ouahbi wanted the official to check the pitchside monitor after a penalty was awarded to Spain.
The referee reviewed the incident at the screen and opted to overturn his original decision because of a dive.
The ref then booked the Spanish player instead, while Morocco went on to win 2-0.
The idea behind the green card is to allow managers the opportunity to challenge refereeing decisions and request VAR reviews at a limit of two appeals every match.
Once a head coach wishes to challenge the referee over a decision, they can show a card to force the official to take a second look at the pitchside monitor.
Referees will still be advised to check the monitor for clear and obvious errors involving goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity as they do currently.
5 The new rule allows managers to challenge referees' decisions and send them to the pitchside monitor Credit: Ricardo Moreira - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
