How Traffic Lights Inspired Football's Yellow and Red Cards

Did you ever wonder how yellow and red cards became part of football? The idea came to English referee Ken Aston while he was stuck at a traffic light. He saw how amber warned drivers to slow down and red told them to stop. At the 1970 World Cup, Aston introduced the colored cards. Yellow meant a caution, red meant a send-off. This simple system removed language barriers and brought instant clarity for players, coaches, and fans around the globe.

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