FIFA breaks silence on Blue Cards in Football

Don’t jump into hasty reactions just yet, FIFA says in response to the Blue Cards introduction.

In response to recent reports suggesting the introduction of blue cards for cynical fouls and dissent in football, FIFA has moved to clarify the situation, labeling the claims as premature.

The Telegraph had initially sparked discussion by asserting that one of the most significant refereeing changes in a decade was imminent, with blue cards set to be trialed and sanctioned by football’s lawmakers, IFAB.

According to the Telegraph’s report, the proposed trials would begin at grassroots levels, where offenders shown a blue card would face a 10-minute sin-bin penalty.

Furthermore, accruing two blue cards within the same match would result in a red card, signaling a significant shift in disciplinary measures within the sport.

However, FIFA has since stepped in to dispel these rumors, asserting that blue cards will not be universally implemented at elite levels of football at this time. Instead, the matter will undergo further deliberation at the upcoming IFAB Annual General Meeting scheduled for March 2nd.

A statement released by FIFA emphasized their stance on responsible testing at lower levels before any potential widespread implementation, aiming to address concerns regarding abuse of officials and tactical fouls.

This move comes in the wake of notable incidents, such as Giorgio Chiellini’s challenge on Bukayo Saka during the Euro 2020 final, where a more stringent disciplinary framework is seen as necessary.

While sin-bins have been successfully integrated into other sports like rugby, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has expressed reservations about their adoption in football.

Despite this, the Football Association has signaled potential interest in volunteering next season’s FA Cup competitions for blue card testing, pending the success of initial trials.