The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body responsible for football’s rules, has announced the implementation of blue cards for players exhibiting cynical behavior.
This decision, disclosed by IFAB on Friday, February 9, 2024, introduces blue cards as part of sin-bin protocols. Players will face a 10-minute expulsion from the field for offenses such as cynical fouls or dissent towards match officials.
The Football Association of Wales is poised to be the first to utilize blue cards, planning their introduction in grassroots competitions this season. This marks the first introduction of a new card color since the 1970 World Cup.
How Does the Blue Card Work?
The blue card will be issued to players impeding promising attacks or displaying dissent. Additionally, if a player accumulates two blue cards during a match or a combination of yellow and blue cards, they will be shown a red card.
These blue cards are part of a trial involving sin bins aimed at enhancing referee protection. The Football Association (FA) may trial them in upcoming men’s and women’s FA Cups, while professional competitions like UEFA will not initially participate. However, elite trials could commence as early as the summer pending potential protocol refinements.
