Referees will show footballers a PINK CARD in big matches this summer, with a new rule put into action

The United States is preparing to host next month's 16-team Copa America Organisers have announced a new card will be used throughout the tournament IAN LADYMAN: The Premier League title race went to the wire, it is not boring compared to other European leagues! - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off! podcast 

A pink card is set to be used at this summer's Copa America after organisers passed a new ruled ahead of the tournament.

South American football's governing body CONMEBOL announced the rule, which will be in operation throughout the tournament in the United States.

The pink card will be part of a system which could see a team granted an additional substitute in matches.

CONMEBOL said the potential sixth substitute could be granted in the event of suspected head injuries and concusssion.

The rule requires the referee or fourth official to be notified, with the official brandishing a pink card as part of the system.

A pink card has been introduced and will be used by referees at this summer's Copa America

The new rule will be used in the Copa America in the United States, which starts next month

The rule requires referees to be notified of a potential concussion, with a pink card shown

'The CONMEBOL Directorate of Competitions and Operations announced that, to the five changes per team authorised by the regulations, a potential sixth will be added to take care of the health of the footballers,' a statement read.

'This is an extra substitution in the event of suspected head trauma and concussion.

'To do so, the main referee or the fourth referee must be informed and a pink card will be used.'

Once the concussion substitute is made, the opposing team will also be granted an additional substitute under the rule.

Teams will also have an 'additional substitution opportunity', which can only be used for the extra substitute granted.

Organisers confirmed players who have suffered a suspected concussion will not be able to return to the pitch after being substituted.

The player will be taken to the dressing room or a medical centre after the substitution.

Team doctors will be required to complete and send a form to CONMEBOL's medical commission within 24 hours of the match, outlining details of the concussion assessment whether the player was substituted or not.

The opposing team would be granted one additional substitution after the change is made

CONMEBOL's move comes with football's governing bodies facing increasing pressure to strengthen rules around head injuries and concussions.

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The use of the pink card follows the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approving permanent concussion substitutions back in March.

The law officially comes into force from July 1, but the body said competitions starting before the date can implement the protocol earlier.

This allowed the pink card to be used at the Copa America, with the tournament running from June 20 to July 14.

IFAB, however, have so far resisted the potential introduction of temporary concussion substitutes.

The pink card is the latest to be introduced to the game, along the with the well established yellow and red cards.

Recent years have also seen the introduction of white cards, which have been used on rare occasions to highlight sporting gestures and fair play in the game.