Rules That Changed Football History: Yellow And Red Cards

 In modern football, red and yellow cards are very important in this sport. Thanks to these cards, the referees can warn or directly punish a player who has committed a serious foul. In this way, the referees try to maintain order, avoid player injuries and maintain a good football show. However, the yellow and red cards were not born just for football but were implemented for the first time in 1970. Yes, 52 years ago.

Before, the players were cautioned verbally and with certain gestures by the referees. Expulsions also existed and were also carried out verbally. In today's football, the yellow card limits players, as they play knowing that they must be careful or they will be sent off. But before, that did not exist, since "verbal warnings" did not have the same power as a yellow card. In addition, the cards are universal, it does not matter the language, everyone understands them.

But everything changed in the 1966 World Cup in England, during the quarterfinals between the locals and Argentina. That game was directed by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, who sent off Argentine midfielder Antonio Ubaldo Rattín. However, the player spoke Spanish and the referee German/English. Because of this, the match was delayed 10 minutes because no one understood what was going on. Rattín demanded a translator because he did not understand what the referee was saying. In any case, it was a controversial expulsion because, according to the referee's words, Rattín looked at him "in a malicious way", and for that, he was expelled for "verbal violence" despite not understanding the language.

Finally, the Argentine captain left the field, although that episode would change world football forever. One day, Ken Aston (former referee and right-hand man of FIFA President Stanley Rou), was driving through the streets of London when he saw a traffic light. And suddenly, he had an idea, to use traffic light colors. He presented his proposal to FIFA, which decided to use only 2 colors, yellow to warn and red for expulsion.

This system was first implemented in Mexico (1970), something that took players by surprise. The first player to receive a yellow card was the Soviet Kaji Asatiani in the opening duel between "El Tri" (Mexico) and the USSR. Surprisingly, there were no red cards in the entire tournament. However, the first victim of the red card was the Chilean Carlos Caszely, who had to leave the match between his team and West Germany.

This new system was liked so much in the world that many leagues in the world began to use it until it became universal. In addition, this system also helped the audience to understand the situation. They cannot hear the conversation between a player and a referee, but they can see a yellow or red card in the distance.