Gerard Pique has caused a stir throughout the football world after creating the King’s League, which involves Golden Cards and many more interesting features.
The 35-year-old has decided to kickstart his concept after retiring from professional football, with some well known figures such as Iker Casillas and Javier Hernandez – Chicharito, to many – getting involved.
So, what is the King’s League? And what do the Golden Cards mean? Let’s take a look…
King’s League
Well, Pique has wasted no time getting stuck into something new after retiring from professional football.
The Spaniard has created a seven-a-side league in Spain called the King’s League.
However, it is not just any usual seven-a-side league.
Pique’s concept involves a number of twists, such as unlimited substitutions and sin bins for yellow or red cards.
VAR is involved, although both teams decide when it is used. Penalty shootouts are carried out in the form of ice hockey style runs from the halfway line, while there are also five of the aforementioned Golden Cards.
Kick-off also involves both sides running from their respective goal line into the middle of the field in true gladiator style.
What are the Golden Cards in King’s League?
Now, the Golden Cards are probably our favourite part of King’s League.
Before kick-off commences, both teams are allowed to choose some Golden Cards, which can either mean an instant penalty, the removal of an opposition player for two minutes, any goal scored in the next minute counts double, or the ability to rob a card from their opponent.
There is also a joker card involved, which lets one team pick from any of the aforementioned bonuses.
However, each pick is a mystery, with neither team aware of what card they have pulled out.
Can I play in the King’s League?
While Casillas and Chicharito are involved, the King’s League is open for anybody to partake in.
Each team has 12 players, with ten of those made up from people who signed up for the King’s League.
The other two spots are reserved for professional footballers, either those who have retired or are still playing.
Joan Capdevila – a World Cup winner for Spain – recently took part.
A current La Liga star also defied his club and agent to play in the King’s League, wearing a mask and going by the name of Enigma to hide his identity.
The King’s League is available to watch on YouTube, and is already boasting viewing figures close to 1,000,000.
It certainly sounds like a fascinating creation by Pique, and we look forward to seeing how it develops over time.
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