Brand new pink card set to debut at major football tournament this summer in huge rule change

A BRAND new pink card will debut at the Copa America this summer after CONMEBOL confirmed a major rule change.

Teams taking part in the tournament – set to kick off June 20 – will be able to make an extra sixth substitution as a result of the new card.

The South American football governing body CONMEBOL announced five subs can be made per team with a potential sixth to be added to take care of the health of the players.

The pink card will be used to warn for a substitution in the event of a suspected head trauma or concussion.

CONMEBOL said: “The substitution for concussion will take place regardless of the number of substitutions until the moment it happens.

“When the concussion substitution is used, the opposing team will automatically have the possibility of making an additional substitution.

“If a normal substitution is made at the same time as a concussion substitution, an opportunity for substitution will be discounted.

“When a team has used all regular substitution opportunities, it may not use a concussion substitution to effect a regular substitution.”

Any player who leaves the pitch under those conditions will have to be taken to the dressing room or a hospital for assessment.

Team doctors who detect a suspected concussion or head trauma on the pitch will have up to 24 hours to send a medical report to CONMEBOL.

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A similar method was implemented in Major League Soccer in 2021 as part of a Fifa pilot programme.

Copa America will take place in the United States this year as Argentina will look to defend their title.

Lionel Messi will lead the world champions after boss Lionel Scaloni announced his provisional squad for the tournament, ahead of their friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala next month.