Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-08 19:47:58
Football is set to introduce a new blue card as part of trials for sin-bins, which will be officially announced on Friday, February 9, 2024. According to Telegraph Sport, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for making the laws of football, has approved the introduction of this new card, which will be the first new card in the sport since the introduction of yellow and red cards at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
The new protocol will see players being removed from the field for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards a match official. This is intended to act as a deterrent against such behaviors, as well as a way to penalize them during the game. The new card will specifically be used for fouls that prevent a promising attack and dissent. Additionally, if a player receives two blue cards during a match, or a combination of yellow and blue cards, they will be shown a red card and sent off the field.
It is important to note that the new sin-bin protocols and the use of the new blue card will not initially be part of top-tier competitions in the professional game. This decision has been made in order to allow for further refinement of the protocols, ensuring that they are effective and fair. However, elite trials could still be implemented as soon as the summer, demonstrating that the potential for the new rules to be incorporated into top-tier competitions is a real possibility.
Despite the potential for future inclusion in major competitions, sin-bins will not be used in this summer’s European Championship or next season’s Champions League. This decision was made by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who expressed his lack of support for the use of sin-bins, stating that “It’s not football anymore.” However, UEFA may be compelled to introduce sin-bins if they are proven to be effective and are subsequently added to the laws of the game following trials.
In conclusion, the introduction of a new blue card and sin-bin protocols in football represents a significant and potentially game-changing development in the sport. The use of sin-bins to penalize cynical fouls and dissent, as well as the introduction of the new card, demonstrate a commitment to promoting fair play and deterring unsporting behaviors on the field. While the new protocols will not be immediately implemented in top-tier competitions, the possibility of their inclusion in the future underscores the potential impact of these changes on the game of football.
