The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has decided to delay the implementation of a new blue card as part of the trials of sin bins in professional football. Initially, the IFAB had announced measures to enhance player behavior and increase respect for match officials, which included temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offenses. The protocols for the trial were scheduled to be announced, including the introduction of a blue card to distinguish the offense from a yellow and red card. However, there will be no official announcement until after the IFAB AGM on March 2.
FIFA has distanced itself from reports regarding the introduction of a blue card in elite-level football. In a statement, the sport’s governing body clarified that any such trials should be limited to lower levels for responsible testing rather than being implemented at the highest levels of the sport. FIFA will reiterate this position during the discussion of the agenda item at the IFAB AGM on March 1.
Sin bins have been successfully implemented in lower levels of football since the 2019-20 season. The system involves players being ordered to leave the field for 10 minutes if they display disrespect towards an official. The new trial for higher-level football, expected to last at least 12 months, will include situations where a player commits a deliberate foul that does not warrant a red card. One notable example is Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini’s foul on England’s Bukayo Saka during the final of Euro 2020.
Despite the approval of the trial at the upcoming AGM, the blue card will not be seen in top-tier competitions such as the Premier League, LaLiga, the UEFA Champions League, Euro 2024, or the Copa America. The trial will not be permitted at the highest level during the next season, and it may not be included in the Laws of the Game until 2026-27 at the earliest. While there have been previous trials in lower leagues to combat dissent, such as moving a free kick forward 10 yards, these measures have not been incorporated into the Laws.
Sources have revealed that there is limited support for sin bins among the top leagues. While the Football Association has the option to test the system in competitions like the Women’s Super League and the FA Cup, it is unlikely to be adopted in these events. Grassroots football in England has been using the yellow card to indicate offenses related to referee abuse since the 2019-20 season across 31 leagues.
The IFAB’s decision to postpone the introduction of the blue card in professional football reflects the cautious approach to implementing new measures at the highest levels of the sport. While the trials of sin bins have been successful in lower levels, there are challenges in gaining support for such changes among top leagues. The upcoming AGM will be crucial in determining the future of these trials and potential amendments to the Laws of the Game.
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