Sin bin falls foul of FNQ football community

FAR North football coaches have lashed Football Queensland’s plans to introduce a sin bin for dissent in grassroots football in 2018.

Players will be forced to spend 10 minutes on the side- lines in addition to receiving a yellow card in a sensational bid to promote referee respect.

The idea is part of the International Football Association Board’s “Play Fair” initiative and is on trial in England’s amateur leagues.

Former Mareeba Bulls coach Alex Srhoj said it was important to protect officials, but questioned whether the rule change was necessary.

“I think it will curb any wrongdoing. It will make people think twice, that’s for sure. But I don’t necessarily think it’s a good idea,” he said.

“I would hope there’s a bit of a grace period so players and coaches understand what it’s all about. The referees already have it in their power to send people off, so I don’t necessarily see the need for a sin bin.

“Our sport is very good at the moment and one thing I do like about it is it hasn’t changed much in 100 years.

“The more we change it the more we turn into NRL or AFL.”

The rules will apply in all junior and senior leagues in Queensland except National Premier League and Football Queensland Premier League matches, which has Southside Comets technical director Chris Collins stumped.

“I’m baffled as to why they’d bring it in at one level and not the other level. Rules have got to apply across the board,” Collins said.

He expected plenty of players to see the sin bin at the start of the 2018 season.

“The first six weeks, it will be ridiculous, I can just see it,” Collins said.