Soccer Fun Facts

Soccer is my favorite team sport. It's the favorite sport of the entire world. It's played/watched in almost every country and the FIFA World Cup is the most watched sporting event globally. So I was doing some reading. Here are a few things I found interesting. 

• Red and yellow cards were introduced after the 1966 World Cup. But the first World Cup was in 1930. That means they played for 36 years before there was any system for cautioning and expelling players for certain bad behaviors.
   
• The back-pass rule was implemented in 1992. The reason was to eliminate time-wasting tactics. It also forced GK's to improve their footwork and become more involved in the play. Also, it encouraged a more attacking style of play from the opponents trying to take advantage of back passes.
   
• The highest-scoring international match ended 31-0. Australia vs. American Samoa in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match in 2001. Brutal, right?

More fun facts HERE if you're bored.