FA ban um red cards
Referees’ red cards are to be replaced with blue ones for all Premier League fixtures from today as the FA clamps down on racism in football in light of the John Terry affair.
The negative connotations of the red card has long been a bugbear of the UK’s Native American population who have called on a “neutral colour” to be used instead.
The FA today backed moves to use blue cards instead as the association attempts to get its house in order.
“We have been aware of the red card concerns of the Native Americans for some time,” said FA spokesman David Bernstein. “They are still known as Red Indians in some quarters and the use of a red card as the ultimate punishment in football causes them great upset.
“We are determined to kick racism out of football and this is clearly another step in the right direction, particularly in light of the problems with Chelsea skipper John Terry.”
The FA will is also planning to ditch yellow cards at the end of the season in a bid to keep the Chinese onside. The yellow card is likely to be replaced with a pea green one.
Black referee kits were ditched in 1992 after fans were heard to chant: “Who’s the bastard in the black?” at football matches.
Mr Bernstein added: “The changing of the referee kits worked wonders. Those foul chants are no longer heard in grounds any more. The racist element has been defused.
“Referees are now, we are glad to report, only ever referred to as bastards.”
