Punishment or prize? (When wife leaves for Washington) (3,4)

I believe the answer is:

red card

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But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?

(Other definitions for red card that I've seen before include "maybe footballers would dispute it?" , "What ref shows to player being sent off" , "heart?" , "Queen of Hearts, for example" , "Sending off" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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