The idea of a time penalty is not new. In amateur football, a ten-minute compulsory break before the introduction of the yellow-red card was common practice. The punishment, known in English as “Sin Bin” (penalty box), is intended to impose a time penalty on players if, for example, they have prevented a clear chance to score with a less serious foul or verbally attack officials.
The blue card would be an intermediate level between the yellow and red cards. Two blue cards for the same player should result in a red card, just as a blue and a yellow card would result in a permanent expulsion.
Who decides on the introduction?
Like all rules issues, this groundbreaking change will be decided by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The rather anachronistic committee consists of a representative from each of the football associations from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – a homage to the British roots of the sport.
In addition, four representatives of the World Football Association (FIFA) sit on the IFAB. Decisions can only be made by a majority, which means that FIFA has the option of blocking them. As a rule, the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, is present in all decisions.
Pro and con
The reactions vary widely. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp recently didn’t hold back with his opinion. “It doesn’t sound like a fantastic idea at first. There will be discussions: Was it a blue card? Should it be a yellow card? Now it’s a ten minute exposition. In the good old days it would have been a red card,” said the successful coach, describing his concern about new ongoing discussions and additional uncertainty for the referees.
debate
How can the “Blue Card” make football better?
Other coaches like Pellegrino Matarazzo from the German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim also see advantages. “I actually think it would be good to have a certain amount of flexibility. A yellow-red card is very hard and often decisive in the game. “Even being banned afterwards is a harsh punishment,” he said. The German referee chief Lutz Michael Fröhlich says: “The advantage is that you have an intermediate tool between expulsion and a yellow card, especially in the area of unsportsmanlike behavior and fouls that cannot be classified 100%.”
It could definitely help calm things down and bring angry players to their senses, says Fröhlich. As always, an open question is the specific design and practical implementation of the new rule. Is there a need for additional staff to monitor the time penalty and a dedicated spot on the pitch? Do the players really have to go to a “penalty box” like in ice hockey?
This is what the schedule looks like
On Saturday morning the IFAB members will meet near Glasgow for their annual general meeting. The introduction has not yet been decided. As is usual with significant changes, a test phase that usually lasts one year is initially agreed upon.
The practical suitability is then tested in certain competitions – often among young people. In return for the blue card, the English association has apparently offered its cup competitions for this test run this time. The Blue Card will by no means be officially and bindingly introduced before 2025.
