By Matt Bryan

The ‘green card’ would be good for Scottish football according to the Scottish Junior Football Association, as it is introduced for the first time in professional football.

Football’s first-ever green card was shown at the weekend, as a player was awarded for his fair play conduct. This could pave the way forward for the game’s integrity.

Italian referee Marco Mainardi made history by brandishing a green coloured card in a match between Serie B sides Virtus Entella and Vicenza. The card symbolises good sportsmanship, which is something the game has been under scrutiny for in recent years.

Iain McQueen, assistant secretary of the Scottish Junior Football Association, said: “The idea has not raised its’ head in Scottish football yet, but if it helps the game then I would certainly support it.

There are no plans in the immediate future to even discuss the green card here but with more information, and if it becomes positive then I don’t see why it wouldn’t be looked at.”

“Our rules at junior level always follow the SFA so nothing would be passed without their qualification. We need to see it working at a national level first, so it will probably be away in the future as the idea is very new.”

Green cards will be rewarded to players in the league who show exemplary displays of good sportsmanship. The player who receives the most at the end of the season receives a fair-play trophy.

This incentive exercise has initially been brought in to paint Serie B in a better light, but there could soon be more positives if more leagues decide to adopt the fair-play system in the future.

Mainardi summoned the recipient of the first green card, Cristian Galano, after he corrected him in a decision that went in his team’s favour.

The corner was overturned to a goal kick after a show of honesty from the Vicenza striker, who admitted that the ball did not touch an opposing player on its way out. The card was shown after the match.