• New sin-bin protocols could be tested in FA Cup and Women’s FA Cup matches
  • Yellow and red cards were first introduced to the game at the 1970 World Cup 
  • CHRIS SUTTON: Erik ten Hag is still on trial. He needs more than gradual improvement this season to keep his job – It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

A blue card is set to be introduced in professional football as part of sin-bin trials, marking the first new colour of card widely used in 50 years. 

According to The Telegraph, the revolutionary move will be announced by International Football Association Board on Friday as part of new measures that will see players removed from play for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards a match official.

The protocols will add a new wrinkle to dismissals as players would now be sent off if they receive two blue cards in a game or a combination of a blue and a yellow. 

The report goes on to say that elite trials could begin as soon as the summer, though top-tier competition will be excluded from initial testing. 

As a result, FA Cup and Women’s FA Cup matches may be included in trials, with the FA reportedly considering volunteering next season’s competitions for testing.

International Football Association Board has signed off on trials for a new protocols that will hand greater power to officials to clamp down on cynical fouls and dissent

International Football Association Board has signed off on trials for a new protocols that will hand greater power to officials to clamp down on cynical fouls and dissent

The blue card will be limited to fouls that prevent a promising attack as well as confirming a red card should be shown if they receive two blues or a combination of a blue and yellow

The blue card will be limited to fouls that prevent a promising attack as well as confirming a red card should be shown if they receive two blues or a combination of a blue and yellow

The new protocol will also be limited to instances of dissent towards a match official

The new protocol will also be limited to instances of dissent towards a match official

WHAT IS A BLUE CARD?

Referees will have the power to show blue cards for cynical fouls that stop threatening attacks and dissent towards a match official.

The card may also be issued to confirm a player should be shown a red card if they receive two blue cards in a match or a combination of a yellow and a blue. 

The revolutionary move would be the first new colour of card introduced into top end football since red and yellow cards were adopted at the 1970 World Cup. 

Trials will not be conducted during top-tier matches, though FA Cup and Women’s FA Cup games could be used for testing next year. 

The FA are reportedly considering volunteering next season’s competitions. 

Blue cards have been used this season during a sin-bin trial in grassroots football in Wales, with the colour chosen to differentiate it clearly from a yellow or red card.

The introduction of new cards has already taken place on a smaller scale on the continent, with Portugal recently adopting a new measure to recognise good sportsmanship. 

In October last year, A Portuguese fifth division player was believed to be the first recipient of a white card in the men’s card after passing up an opportunity to score after an opposing defender gave the ball away on the edge of his own penalty box and immediately went down injured and in significant pain.

The attacker quickly realised the defender was badly hurt and turned away from goal before kicking the ball out for a throw-in so he could receive treatment. 

The sporting gesture was applauded by the fans in attendance, and was swiftly recognised by the referee who walked over to the player and brandished the white card. 

Should trials prove successful in curbing the instances of cynical fouls and dissent, the new card could added to the laws of the game. 

One example of a good use of the sin bin was seen in then Euro 2020 final when Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini pulled the shirt of England’s Bukayo Saka and only received a yellow card.

Under the new rules, Chiellini could have been forced to spend 10 minutes on the touchline, reducing Italy to 10 men against England’s 11.

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini pulls back the shirt of England's Bukayo Saka in the Euro 2020 final, for which he received a yellow card

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini pulls back the shirt of England’s Bukayo Saka in the Euro 2020 final, for which he received a yellow card

FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina backed the idea of sin bins, saying: ‘The idea is to start working on this as soon as possible to provide those who would be involved in the trial a protocol to be used. The idea is to get it soon.

‘The trial was very successful in grassroots competitions. Now we are talking of a higher level, very probably professional or even high professional football.’

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed their interest in using sin bins back in November.

‘When we were looking at sin bins – protocol clearly has to be developed – the areas we were looking at were dissent, where it’s worked very, very well in the grassroots game in England,’ he said.

By contrast, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has voiced his objection to the move and sin-bins will not be used at this summer’s European Championship or next season’s Champions League. 

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Post source: Daily mail

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