FIFA president Gianni Infantino has emphatically dominated out the prospect of blue playing cards enjoying any half in a future sin bin trial.
The playing cards have been set to be the sign which might be utilized by referees to point out {that a} participant had been briefly dismissed in sin bin trial protocols which have been due for publication on February 9, and had been signed off at a board assembly of the gameâs lawmaking physique, the Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board, earlier that week.
Nonetheless, when studies about blue playing cards circulated on February 8 they acquired a largely unfavorable response, and the IFAB pulled the plug on the day scheduled for publication, citing the necessity for additional talks on the organisationâs annual normal assembly this weekend.
FIFA needs to make clear that studies of the so-called ‘blue card’ at elite ranges of soccer are incorrect and untimely.
Any such trials, if carried out, needs to be restricted to testing in a accountable method at decrease ranges, a place that FIFA intends to reiterate when thisâ¦
â FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 8, 2024
On the eve of Saturdayâs assembly in Loch Lomond, Infantino mentioned: âThere is not going to be any blue playing cards used at elite degree. It is a matter that’s non-existent for us.
âFIFA is totally against blue playing cards. I used to be not conscious of this matter. Iâm the president of FIFA, and I feel FIFA has a say within the IFAB. So, I donât know in order for you the title, âItâs crimson card to the blue cardâ!
âEach proposal and each thought needs to be handled with respect, in fact. However, when you have a look at it, you even have to guard the sport, the essence of the sport, the custom of the sport, and there’s no blue card.â
The introduction of a blue card on the degree initially envisaged within the trial would have been the largest single change within the administration of participant self-discipline because the introduction of crimson and yellow playing cards on the 1970 World Cup.
It’s understood the trial itself will proceed to be developed, however it’s anticipated it is going to now happen at a a lot decrease footballing degree than was anticipated by the unique February 9 protocol, which was set to encourage functions from all however the very top-level competitions.
The Soccer Affiliation, one of many 5 our bodies which makes up the IFAB, had been understood to have been fascinated by operating a trial within the menâs and womenâs FA Cups sooner or later, earlier than the furore round blue playing cards.
The trial may also require a brand new sign for use as a substitute of the blue card. In grassroots soccer, referees present a yellow card and level to the touchline.
There are additionally set to be additional talks on Saturday about whether or not any sin bin trial ought to embody tactical fouls, in addition to dissent. Additionally below the unique protocol, all gamers on the pitch, together with goalkeepers, could possibly be briefly dismissed.
Sin bin trials have been one among 4 protocols set for publication final month earlier than the blue card story broke.
The IFAB can be searching for to trial permitting referees the choice of making a âcaptain-only zoneâ round them after they really feel threatened or intimidated, and a trial the place referees can ship groups to their respective penalty areas to chill off within the occasion of mass confrontations.
All of those, together with the sin bin protocols, are in the end supposed to enhance participant behaviour at greater ranges, one thing Infantino has mentioned is important to set the best instance to younger gamers and guarantee folks nonetheless really feel protected, and inspired, to be referees.
One other trial that had been set for publication on February 9 involved how lengthy goalkeepers can deal with the ball, and the way play ought to restart after they maintain on too lengthy.
At the moment keepers can maintain on for six seconds and something over that’s speculated to be penalised with an oblique free-kick, however lawmakers are involved this isn’t being correctly enforced which is why a trial has been developed.
The administration of head accidents can be on the AGM agenda.
The World Leagues Discussion board and world playersâ union FIFPRO have once more written to the IFAB asking for permission to trial short-term concussion substitutes, one thing which was once more rejected eventually yearâs AGM in London.
