The International Football Association Board is expected to announce the addition of a blue card to today’s game, which allows the referee to send a player off for 10 minutes for minor errors.
Football’s lawmakers announced in November measures to improve player behaviour and increase respect for match officials, which included temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences.
Sin bins have already had a successful implementation in the lower levels of football since 2019-20, with players ordered to leave the field for 10 minutes if they show disrespect to an official.
The new trial for higher-level football, which is expected to last at least 12 months, will include situations where a player deliberately takes out an opponent in an attacking situation when a red card isn’t warranted.
However, the International Football Association(FIFA) has clarified that reports of the so-called ‘blue card’ at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.
“FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called ‘blue card’ at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.” FIFA said.
“Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 2 March.”
Credit Photo : Daily Star
