Sports | October 19, 2026
A new technology has been introduced in the world of football as a referee in Uruguay used a smartphone-like electronic device instead of the traditional yellow and red cards.
The report said the trial took place during a Copa Uruguay match on October 15, when a player was shown a digital yellow card for the first time in a game between Nacional and Rentistas. Nacional won the match 3-0.
According to the report, in the 12th minute, referee Eduardo Varela showed the digital yellow card to Rentistas player Juan Pablo Plada for a foul. It was the first use of this technology in any football match.
How does the mobile-like digital device work?
The device looks like a smartphone and has two buttons. Pressing the first button shows a yellow card, turning the screen yellow, while the second button is used to show a red card, turning the screen red.
The report said the device is designed not only to show cards but also to automatically record events during the match. Cards issued to players, goals, substitutions and other key incidents can also be logged.
According to the report, the devices have been developed to sync with the Uruguayan Football Association’s digital match management system, reducing the need for referees to write decisions in a notebook and later enter them on a computer. The device can also work without a Wi-Fi connection.
New technology faces difficulties in first trial
During the initial trial, a key problem emerged when spectators in the stadium and viewers watching on television struggled to clearly identify the screen colors, making it difficult to tell the yellow and red cards apart.
It is worth noting that a trial of the technology had previously been planned for another match, but it was postponed because the screen was not clearly visible in poor lighting conditions.
The company that makes the device is now considering changes, including adding LED lights around the edges of the screen.