Definition of red card

The term "red card" in football (soccer) originated in the early 20th century. Before the 1900s, referees used whistles and hand signals to manage fouls. But as the game grew in complexity, a more standardized system was needed. In 1914, a British football association introduced the concept of color-coded cards to represent different types of offenses. Red, symbolizing danger, was chosen for the most severe offenses, leading to a player's expulsion from the game.