Uruguay introduces digital cards in football first

Football has taken a technological step forward in Uruguay, where digital disciplinary cards made their debut during a national cup match between Nacional and Rentistas.

Nacional won 3–0 in their round-of-16 encounter, but the main talking point was referee Eduardo Varela’s smartphone-style device, which replaced traditional cards. The first digital booking came in the 12th minute, when Rentistas midfielder Juan Pablo Plada was cautioned. Nacional’s Nahuel Gelos later received a red card displayed on the screen.

The innovation aims to reduce recording errors by allowing referees to enter players’ details and disciplinary information directly into the device, simplifying post-match administration.

However, the prototype still faces challenges. Varela highlighted poor screen visibility under direct sunlight and from certain angles, suggesting additional side-mounted LED lighting. Despite these limitations, the experiment could pave the way for broader technological adoption in football officiating worldwide.