FIFA Backtrack on Blue Card and Sin Bins After Heavy Backlash

World football governing body, FIFA, have reacted to the controversies surrounding the blue cards and sin bin trials as approved by International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Football analysts, pundits, fans, including coaches, have been critical of the proposed sin-bin trials. Arsenal legend and Premier League pundit Paul Merson took a swipe on sin bins describing it as a total ‘waste of time’ which will make the game extremely boring.

Soon-to-leave Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blasted IFAB with a satirical remark when asked about the blue cards. Klopp insisted the move will further heap pressure on referees who are already grappling to adapt to the VAR.

The German tactician added it is not a good idea and should not be given a second thought.

Some football fans took to X to express their disapproval of the new card rule, insisting the rich have stolen the game from them and diluted it with concepts that has stripped it of its authenticity.

Generally, blue card and ain-bin trials has not been welcomed by fans and other football stakeholders. There has been a widespread backlash and rejection of the initiative.

Amid the criticisms of the new card rule, FIFA have broken their silence. Taking to their social media handle, the football governing body tends to be on the defensive as they ‘clarify’ that the initiative is yet to be ratified by FIFA.

They revealed that against reports making the rounds on the media, blue cards and sin-bin trials will not be tested on elite football levels and a further deliberation on the initiative will be done on March 2, 2024.

“FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called ‘blue card’ at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.

“Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 2 March,” the statement reads.

FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called 'blue card' at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.

Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this…

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 8, 2024

The testing of the blue card and football sin-bins will allow a player to be sent off for 10 minutes for cynical fouls and dissent before being allowed to return to action.

English FA and other football FAs are set to be ready to test-run the initiative in their lower leagues from next year.