Uruguay Tests New Virtual Referee Card System
Referees in the Copa Uruguay are testing digital cards, though visibility issues have emerged during early trials.
The Uruguayan Football Association is exploring a technological shift in match officiating by trialing virtual yellow and red cards. Instead of using traditional plastic cards, referees are utilizing handheld electronic devices that display the necessary caution or dismissal at the touch of a button.
Technology faces visibility hurdles
This system aims to streamline match administration by automatically recording incidents—such as substitutions and sanctions—in real time. This data is transmitted directly to the COMET platform, effectively removing the need for manual notes and handwritten records during the heat of a game.
The innovation saw its first practical application during a Copa Uruguay fixture between Nacional and Rentistas. However, the system is still in its infancy, and early feedback has highlighted significant concerns. Both at the initial trial and during subsequent planned events, attendees reported that poor lighting made it difficult to distinguish the colors displayed on the digital screens.
While the project promises to modernize the sport, the Uruguayan Football Association acknowledges that the current iteration remains in a testing phase. Improving screen visibility is now a primary objective before the technology can be considered for wider implementation.
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