FIFA Ref Makes History With Purple Card In U20 World Cup Match

FIFA are trialing the use of a purple card in football, with one already used in a high-profile game.

Red and yellow cards have been a mainstay in the officiating of the game ever since they were introduced in the 1970 World Cup.

But while they are integral to the application of the rules, a major change could be in store for the beautiful game.

That's because the men's Under 20 World Cup, currently taking place in Chile, is testing a completely new system.

During the CONIFA World Football Cup, a tournament for non-FIFA-affiliated nations, a purple card was handed out for a player's dissent towards a referee.

But while that scheme was designed to help with "the lack of respect for referees", the use of blue and purple cards has a very different use in the FIFA-backed trial.

How do the blue and purple cards work in football?

Instead, the blue and purple cards are being used as a key part of the officiating process through Football Video Support (FVS), which is essentially acting as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in tournaments and organisations where it is not available.

Again, the use of video footage is called upon for “clear and obvious errors” involving goals, penalties and yellow cards but the process works differently.

The game between Morocco and Spain featured the first purple card. (Image: Getty)

At the FIFA U20 World Cup, the cards are being utilised as a means to bring in Football Video Support (FVS) - signalling a review request on a decision.

As was the case in the women's U20 World Cup in Colombia and the Blue Stars FIFA Youth Cup, managers are allowed two challenges per match in a similar scenario to sports like American football, basketball, tennis, baseball and cricket.

A review must be used following a referee's decision, giving them the opportunity to watch a replay of the incident in question on a monitor.

If a team's review results in a decision being overturned, then they lose the challenge.

And that is exactly what happened in the first implementation of the cards at the U20 World Cup, where Morocco beat Spain 2-0 on Sunday.

Spain's penalty was overturned following a purple card and review. (Image: Getty)

Spain were awarded a penalty but, after protests, Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi made an official challenge to the decision.

That led to the official watching footage of the incident and ultimately overturning the penalty call.

The blue and purple card system will continue to be present at the tournament in Chile until October 19th, when the final takes place.

This article was amended on 3rd October 2025 to reflect that the colour of the card used was in fact purple.