FIFA, the worldwide governing body of football, has decided to scrap the idea of introducing blue cards into the sport after the notion was met with huge amounts of backlash. The decision will come as welcomed news to many fans, although the trial of sin-bins is still expected to go ahead.
However, rather than a blue card, a new signal will now be decided upon before the trial's commencement.
FIFA decide to scrap the idea of blue cards in football
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FIFA claim the idea was never an option
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, appeared to claim that the idea of ‘blue cards' was never an option and categorically ruled out its implementation into the sport.
Speaking ahead of the annual general meeting for IFAB, Infantino said: “There will not be any blue cards used at elite level.
“This is a topic that is non-existent for us. FIFA is completely opposed to blue cards. I was not aware of this topic. I’m the president of FIFA, and I think FIFA has a say in the IFAB. So, I don’t know if you want the title, It’s red card to the blue card.
“Every proposal and every idea has to be treated with respect, of course. But, once you look at it, you also have to protect the game, the essence of the game, the tradition of the game, and there is no blue card.”
Rather surprisingly then, despite several reports suggesting otherwise, FIFA appear to have been strongly against the idea of blue cards from the outset.
Blue cards are out, but sin-bin trials set to remain
Despite the apparent scrapping of blue cards, the planned trials of sin-bins within the sport are still expected to go ahead, much to the dismay of most supporters of the game.
However, FIFA and IFAB must now decide upon a new signal to indicate that a player has been sent to the sin-bin, with a yellow card accompanied by a point to the touchline by the referee, a method used in grassroots football, currently being considered.