Football’s governing body, FIFA, has firmly rejected the idea of implementing blue cards as part of sin bin trials. Blue cards were proposed to see a player sidelined or sent to the “sin bin” for 10 minutes over dissent or cynical fouls. However, the proposal stirred controversy and faced significant opposition within the football community. Gianni Infantino the president of FIFA has insisted that plans to include blue cards in sin bin trials in elite-level football have been scrapped.
While the blue card concept is not continuing, the sin bin trial is expected to continue – albeit at a lower level than initially planned. The Football Association, part of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), had expressed interest in conducting trials in the men’s and women’s FA Cups before the controversy surrounding blue cards arose. The trial will now require a new signal to replace the blue card – with grassroots football’s yellow card and point to the touchline considered as alternatives.
FIFA Scraps Blue Card Plans For Sin-Bin Trials: What’s Next?
"No, there will not be any blue cards"
Gianni Infantino rules out using blue cards in professional football 🟦 pic.twitter.com/D1r9vmqg13
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 1, 2024
Infantino: “It Is A Red Card To The Blue Card”
“There will not be any blue cards used at elite level,” the FIFA president unequivocally stated as he arrived for Saturday’s annual general meeting of the IFAB at Loch Lomond. “This is a topic that is non-existent for us. FIFA is completely opposed to blue cards. I was not aware of this topic.
“I’m the president of FIFA, and I think FIFA has a say in the IFAB. So, I don’t know if you want the title, ‘It’s red card to the blue card’! Every proposal and every idea has to be treated with respect, of course. But, once you look at it, you also have to protect the game, the essence of the game, the tradition of the game, and there is no blue card.”
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Saturday’s discussions will also explore whether the sin-bin trial should encompass tactical fouls and dissent. The original protocol allowed the temporary dismissal of all players on the pitch, including goalkeepers.
Other Protocols Under Consideration
In addition to sin-bin trials, the IFAB is exploring various other protocols aimed at improving player behaviour and safety. These include creating a ‘captain-only zone’ for referees in situations of intimidation and allowing teams to cool off in their respective penalty areas. Another trial set for publication concerns the duration goalkeepers can handle the ball. Currently, keepers can hold on for six seconds, with infringements resulting in an indirect free-kick. The IFAB is exploring ways to improve enforcement of this rule.
Head injuries and concussion substitutes are other important agendas set to be discussed. The World Leagues Forum and FIFPRO have requested permission for temporary concussion substitutes, a plea rejected in the previous year’s AGM. With concerns over player health, especially in relation to dementia, the push for such trials continues. PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart stated, “We’re involved in this initiative because we do feel that temporary concussion subs are the next step forward.”
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However, Infantino emphasized the need for proper medical assessment and care in cases of suspected concussion, rejecting the concept of temporary concussion substitutes as insufficient for protecting players’ health. He added: “We will not introduce temporary concussion subs because we care about the health of the players and concussion is an important topic for us.
“We have an expertise in this area now. We didn’t have it before. Medical experts say it is simply impossible in a few minutes to be able to determine whether there has been a concussion, whether concussion is serious or not. If you want to care about the health of the player, then the player has to go out and another player comes in, and that’s the end of it.”
