Football's First Ever Green Card Shown

(Image: Getty)

A new coloured card has been introduced in Italy's Serie B league, and it was used for the very first time this week.

The Green Card is awarded for 'fair play' - an initiative that was brought in at the start of the season.

A player that receives the most green cards throughout the year will be given an award at the end of the season.

The first card went to Vicenza Galano for admitting that no defenders from the opposition had touched the ball when his side was awarded a corner kick:

The green card has been brought in as part of an effort to clean up the league's image, which was rocked by a match fixing scandal earlier in the season.

"It's a symbolic award. It could be something very simple. The important thing is to recognise it when a professional does something exemplary," said president of Serie B Andrea Abodi.