What is 'Challenge Card'? Morocco U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi used for VAR review in FIFA U-20 World Cup

The Moroccan head coach used the challenge card to task the referee for a VAR review.

Mohamed Ouahbi, the head coach of Morocco, utilised a “challenge card” to contest a ruling made during their match against France in the under-20 World Cup.

With heroics from third-choice goalkeeper Abdelhakim El Mesbahi, Ouahbi’s team defeated favourites France in a thrilling penalty shootout on Wednesday to secure their place in the under-20 World Cup final.

On his water bottle, El Mesbahi, who had not participated in any of Morocco’s prior tournament matches, had printed a tiny image showing the direction in which the French players may aim their penalty kicks.

The usage of Football Video Support (FVS) during regular time was one of the main talking points from the semi-final match, aside from the shootout.

A Moroccan player fell in the France penalty box with 72 minutes remaining.

Referee Gustavo Tejera brushed away protests in a moment. But Mohamed Ouahbi, the manager of Morocco, presented a purple “review challenge card” because he believed the official had mistakenly denied a penalty.

For what purpose can the challenge card be used?

According to FIFA, a review request must be submitted as soon as possible following the incident and can only be made by the team’s head coach (or, in their absence, the senior team official in the technical area).

The coach or senior team official will give the fourth official a review demand card while twirling their finger in the air. Every player has the right to request a review from their head coach.

The procedure is only used in the following situations: goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, or straight red cards (not second cautions), where there may have been a clear and evident error or a serious overlooked incident.

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