Football’s disciplinary system is about to take a whole new look. In other words, discussions are underway regarding the introduction of a new card – the blue card.
Unlike the iconic yellow and red cards, this innovation won’t be exclusive to football. Similar mechanisms have long been in place in sports like field hockey and rugby, where players can face temporary suspensions based on the severity of their infractions as judged by referees.
The New Rule
The specifics of this proposed rule change are slated to be revealed next month following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Football Association Board (IFAB). However, trials have already been conducted in amateur leagues in England and Wales, where players receiving a blue card are sidelined for 10 minutes.
If a player earns another blue card upon returning from suspension, they are subsequently shown a red card and ejected from the match altogether.
Should this law come to fruition, it would mark the first introduction of a new card to football since the iconic yellow and red cards debuted during the 1970 World Cup. While no players were sent off during that tournament, these cards have since become integral to the sport at all levels.
Nevertheless, the proposal has sparked fierce criticism from various high-profile figures within the football community, including Premier League managers like Jurgen Klopp and Ange Postecoglou. Despite the backlash, further details surrounding the initiative have emerged.
What About Goalies?
In the event that a goalkeeper receives a blue card, they have the option to be temporarily replaced by an outfield player or substituted for another goalkeeper.
This potential implementation builds upon the success of sin bins, which have been in use in lower levels of football since the 2019-20 season, allowing players to be temporarily sidelined for 10 minutes for showing disrespect to an official.
The trial of sin bins at higher-level football is anticipated to last at least 12 months and will encompass scenarios where a player deliberately fouls an opponent in an attacking situation, where a red card isn’t warranted.
While grassroots football in England has already adopted the use of blue cards to indicate specific offenses across 31 leagues since the 2019-20 season, fans won’t witness their debut in top-level competitions such as the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Euro 2024, or the Copa America.
The trial slated for next season won’t be permitted at the elite level, potentially delaying its incorporation into the Laws of the Game until 2026-27 at the earliest.
Despite past trials aimed at combating dissent, like moving a free kick forward 10 yards, the adoption of sin bins faces limited support among top leagues, with the Football Association opting against testing it in competitions such as the Women’s Super League and the FA Cup.
In response to recent reports, FIFA issued a statement clarifying that the introduction of the “blue card” at elite football levels is premature and incorrect, underscoring the ongoing discussions and potential timeline for implementation.
Know more about the blue cards or sin bins
