Blue Card in football set to be introduced to enforce sin-bins

The grassroots and youth level of football has seen the successful implementation of sin-bins in the past few years. As the International Football Association Board (IFAB) are looking to begin the rule to the elite level, new blue cards could also be introduced.

The trial of these blue cards was done this season in Wales at the grassroots level. They chose the colour keeping in mind that it should not be confused with the already existing yellow and red cards.

The introduction of the blue cards will be the first new card used in the elite level of football since yellow and red cards were brought on during the 1970 World Cup. They might not start the rule directly in top-tier competitions, like any European tournaments, but it will be introduced soon.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is very much opposed to the rule as he told Telegraph Sport hearing this, “It's not football anymore.” However, he might have to surrender in the end if the trial goes smoothly and it gets added to football's laws.

England's Football Association might volunteer for next season's tournament for the trial run in elite games. It might not be seen in the Premier League, but can be seen in the FA Cup and Women's FA Cup from as soon as the start of next season.

The sin-bins will see referees send players off the field for 10 minutes during the game for dissent. The blue cards will be used almost the same way as the yellow cards. As in, two blue cards will mean a red card for a player.

The combination of a yellow and a blue card will also mean the same. The rule will be seen in action in case of dissent or any foul that prevents a promising attack. IFAB is very serious about dissent from players.

They once said, “This might be the cancer that kills football.” To root that out, they could introduce another rugby rule where only the team captains would be allowed to talk to the referees about any decision.