The Romanian Football Federation has introduced a black card to combat spectator aggression at children's matches.

The Romanian Football Federation was the first in the world to introduce a black card to combat unacceptable behavior by parents and spectators at matches of children's and youth teams.

A black card means the meeting is permanently terminated due to spectator behavior.

The procedure will be used in cases of verbal abuse, foul language, fights and other manifestations of aggression on the part of parents and spectators.

MOSCOW, September 12 - RIA Novosti. The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) was the first in the world to introduce a black card, which will be designed to combat unacceptable behavior of parents and spectators at matches of children's and youth teams, according to the organization's website.

The innovation will be in effect from the start of the local season in competitions among players aged 7 to 16 years. A black card means the meeting is permanently terminated due to spectator behavior. First, the referee must pause the game and ask the coaches to address the fans. If violations continue, the teams will go to the locker rooms for ten minutes. If the incident occurs again after the match has resumed, the referee will show a black card and end the match early.

“FRF’s position is clear: children should not become victims of the ambitions, pressure or dissatisfaction of adults in the stands. The black card will be a visual signal by which the referee will announce the early termination of the match due to unacceptable behavior of spectators or parents. Such behavior not only interferes with the conduct of the match, but can also directly affect the children and the entire team,” the statement emphasizes.

The procedure will be applied in cases of verbal abuse, foul language, fighting, pushing and other manifestations of aggression by parents and spectators towards children, coaches, referees, match officials and other fans.