IFAB backtracks on blue card idea in sin bin trial – sources،
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has postponed the introduction of a new blue card for sin testing in professional football, sources have told ESPN.
Football lawmakers announced measures in November to improve player behavior and increase respect for match officials, including temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical infractions.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
The IFAB was expected to announce trial protocols on Friday, including a blue card to distinguish the offense from a yellow and red card.
However, there will now be no announcements until the IFAB Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 2, when all proposed trials and legislative changes will be discussed before being approved for use from March 1 June.
FIFA distanced itself from reports of a blue card on Thursday evening.
FIFA would like to clarify that reports of the so-called 'blue card' at the elite level of football are incorrect and premature,” the sport's governing body said. said in a statement THURSDAY.
“Such testing, if implemented, should be limited to responsibly conducted testing at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on March 1st.”
Sin bins have already been successfully implemented in lower levels of football since 2019-20, with players ordered to leave the pitch for 10 minutes if they disrespect an official.
The new trial for top-flight football, which is expected to last at least 12 months, will include situations where a player deliberately eliminates an opponent in an attacking situation when a red card is not justified.
One such example is Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini who pulled back England's Bukayo Saka by the scruff of the neck in the Euro 2020 final.
Grassroots football in England, which has a particular problem with referee abuse by players, has used the yellow card to indicate the offense in 31 leagues since the 2019-20 season.
Even after the trial is formally approved at next month's AGM, fans will not see a blue card in top-tier competitions like the Premier League, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Euro 2024 or the Copa America.
Testing during next season will not be permitted at the highest level, and it will be necessary to wait until 2026-27 at the earliest before it can enter into the laws of the game.
Indeed, there have been several trials in the lower leagues in recent years in an attempt to combat dissent, such as advancing a free kick 10 meters, which have not been enshrined in the Laws.
Sources have told ESPN that there is limited support for sin bins among the top leagues, and while the Football Association has the option to trial it in competitions such as the Women's Super League and the FA Cup, it should not be adopted. .
