Bizarre Moment Ref Pulls Out White Card During Sporting v Benfica Clash

• Fans were left stunned during a Portuguese match after the referee pulled out a white card
• The card was shown to medical staff who had rushed onto the pitch to aid an unwell player
• The white card is designed to show recognition to clubs for acts of fair play during a match

A Portuguese match pitting Sporting Lisbon against Benfica was marked with a bizarre incident, after the referee pulled out a white card.

For the longest time in the history of football, fans have only been accustomed to match officials showing only two cards to punish players - yellow and red.

However, according to Sportbible, referees now have a third option - in the shape of a white card.

The publication reports that fans were treated to a rare scene on January 21, with the match official brandishing a white card for the very first time in the history of professional football.

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The game in question saw female teams from Benfica and Sporting Lisbon face off.

When was the white shown?

It is understood that the card was shown when Benfica were 3-0 up, after the medical personnel from both sides raced onto the pitch to aid one of the players in distress.

At the time, the player in question had complained of feeling unwell in the early exchanges of the time. Her condition prompted the medical team from both sets of teams to make their way onto the pitch to assist her.

It was during this time that the referee pulled out the white card and showed it to the medical staff.

According to The Mirror, the white card is designed to show recognition to clubs for acts of fair play during a match.

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The move is aimed at 'improving ethical value in the sport'.

VAR proves Nketiah's goal valid

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on new images showing that Eddie Nketiah's last-gasp strike to win the game for Arsenal was a valid goal.

The Gunners beat Manchester United 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Emirates Stadium on January 22, to send out yet another statement of intent.

Nketiah's second for the night - which ultimately proved to be the winner - was marred by controversy before the intervention of VAR.