Red Card. Photo: Kolkatafootball.com
Referees have shown quite a few red cards during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The most memorable for South African fans will be the red card Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune received in the game against Uruguay.
It was France’s turn for a red card in their game against South Africa when Yousuff Gourcuff was sent off. Brazilian fans were upset when their team’s star, Kaka, was given a red card in their game against Ivory Coast. And last night, in their game against Spain, a red card for Ricardo Costa rubbed salt in the wounds of a loosing Portugal.
According to FIFA’s rules a red card can be given when a very dangerous tackle is made, when an opponent is fouled to keep him from scoring, when a player uses his hands to deny the opposition an opportunity to score, or when the player becomes abusive, offensive or violent.
Scrutinize, a national campaign being undertaken in South Africa by USAID/Johns Hopkins University/JHU Program, which aims to educate the public on the risks of HIV/AIDS, is now also using a red card in their campaigns. Just like a referee would produce a red card if a player exhibits dangerous behaviour, Scrutinize is urging South Africans to recognise dangerous sexual behaviour and “give it the red card”. Do not entertain it, simply send it “off the field” and out of your life.
Watch one of the animated Scrutinize TV commercials using the red card metaphor to highlight the dangers of risky sexual behaviour:
Because major events such as the Soccer World Cup creates the possibility for predators to perpetrate human trafficking, Free Generation International is also using the “red card” against forced labour and sexual slavery. Their website gives safety tips to members of the public and tells you how to recognise a victim of human trafficking. There is a toll-free number to call for help. To create awareness about human trafficking, you can download a picture of a red card and paste it to your website or send it to your friends and family.
Creative Consulting & Development Works has pasted the card here to show our support:
Red Card. Photo: Free Generation International
