Blue card introduced in football

The yellow and red cards were first introduced in 1970 during the World Cup held in Mexico. Their usage remained largely unchanged for over half a century, except for their shape, which in very rare occasions transitioned from being rectangular to circular. However, a brand new introduction regarding the use of cards could be announced shortly, according to a report by Telegraph. The Ifab (International Football Association Board) has decided to proceed with the introduction of the blue card as part of the "sin-bin protocol." According to the initial information released, match officials will produce the blue card from their pocket in two specific scenarios. The first concerns so-called tactical fouls, such as shirt-pulling to stop opposition counterattacks; the second involves interventions where the referee deems it impossible to have intended to play the ball. Finally, players will also be sanctioned with a blue card if they use offensive language towards referees.

Receiving a blue card will result in a temporary suspension from the game, with the player being stationed in the so-called sin-bin. In sports like hockey and rugby, it's also known as the sin or bad box. It's an area located off the field where players wait during temporary expulsion for committing a foul not severe enough to warrant permanent expulsion. Usually, teams cannot substitute players in the sin-bin, except in rugby but only in certain cases. Initially, this introduction will occur on a trial basis, which is why it won't affect top leagues but could debut in FA competitions (Trophy and Vase) but not in the FA Cup. As for the chosen color, blue was opted for as orange could risk chromatic confusion with red and yellow. In Wales, the use of the blue card has already been experimented with at amateur levels and has substantially reduced tactical fouls.

There's certainty that blue cards will not be introduced in either the European Championship to be held in Germany this summer or the next Champions League. It's likely to be a very slow and gradual process. Regarding the matter, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has spoken, stating to the Telegraph, "it wouldn't be football anymore." Of course, UEFA would be obliged to accept the disciplinary protocol if the blue card experimentation proves successful, as the Ifab is an authoritative body that has been establishing every rule in football regulations since 1886.