IFAB’s trial of sin-bins and blue cards looks set to divide opinion
Flackwell Heath boss Ayres believes dissent sin-bins have improved players' respect for referees
In the dynamic world of football, where traditions run deep and innovation often meets resistance, the introduction of new rules is always a controversial topic.
From the prickly debates surrounding VAR to the ongoing discussions about tournament formats, each proposed change stirs up a whirlwind of opinions among managers, players, fans, and grassroots coaches alike.
The latest proposal to ruffle feathers in the football community is the concept of the blue card – a disciplinary measure aimed at tackling dissent and cynical fouls. While some argue that it represents a crucial step towards ensuring fair play on the field, the blue card proposal has faced significant backlash from various quarters.
Drawing inspiration from other sports like ice hockey, where penalties are handed out for infractions on the ice, the blue card concept isn't entirely novel. In football, it would mean a temporary expulsion from the game, typically a 10-minute period.
Football's lawmakers IFAB (The International Football Association Board) are set to trial blue cards which would see players sin-binned for 10 minutes for dissent and cynical fouls - but it's not yet clear when this trial will start or in which competitions.
Sin-bins for dissent have been in use in the non-league game at step 5 and below for the past couple of seasons, and Flackwell Heath manager Chris Ayres believes it's been a worthwhile addition to the game at their level.
“We're used to it now and I think it has its worth,” he said. “It does, in my opinion reduce the abuse, or whatever you want to call it, to the referee. I think it does work.
“We're conscious of it and we tell our players all the time that they need to
remember this is in place and you have to respect the referee. We had one last Tuesday against Chalfont St Peter for Jack Shakespeare. What he said to the linesman, I can't defend it.
“So, I think it has a place. Whether they can make it work in the Premier League, I'm not so sure. I just think sometimes the players are bigger than the game at that level. But I think it works at our level. We accept it for what it is, and I think it has worth, but I'm not sure it will work at the top level of the game. “
A major point of contention is the disruption to the flow of the game.
The introduction of the blue card could disrupt the rhythm of a match, leading to frequent stoppages and time wasting that would spoil the spectacle of the game for fans.
Tottenham’s head coach Ange Postecoglou went further saying the possible introduction of blue cards and sinbins would 'destroy' the game'.
Ayres added that referees are wary of teams trying to slow the game down while their player is in the sinbin.
“My take on it is that referees are wary of that,” he said. “We've had some sinbins that have been 13 or 14 minutes, with the referee taking into account time wasting. Which I guess is the right thing to do if a team is trying to slow things down and play the clock.
“They are aware that teams do that. A referee has said to us that it's 10minutes while the ball is in play or something like that. When it happened to us last week it wasn't much of a concern because we were 3-0 up, but when the game is close, you have to think tactically about what you're going to do for those 10 minutes.”
However, Mark Walters, a first team coach at Holyport, has voiced his concerns over the impact of blue cards on the fluidity of football.
“I think football is best left alone, especially being a sport that is so fluid. It’s different for rugby, it’s different for tennis, it’s different for American football, it’s different for pretty much every other sport because they’re stopstart. Football and basketball are maybe the only sports where games don’t stop, not for a prolonged period anyway, and that’s the beauty of them.
“Blue cards are not going to make the games any more exciting for supporters. I get that we need to combat ill-discipline, language, and abuse towards referees but there are other ways we can do that. It seems to me that blue cards are a bit of a soft option. Also, let the mistakes happen. A high percentage of goals are scored each week at this level, Holyport’s level, because of mistakes from players or the referees. Allow them to happen, they do make for a spectacle.”
Amidst the fervent debate surrounding the introduction of the blue card, football’s governing bodies have opted to postpone the announcement of any definitive implementation plans.
IFAB has emphasised the need for further deliberation and engagement with players, managers, and fans before reaching a final verdict.