Controversial blue cards to be scrapped but sin bins remain on the table

Football officials are ready to ditch the controversial plans for blue cards but sin bins are still in the pipeline.

Earlier this year, rulemakers in football shook the sport amid reports that they were readying the introduction of a new card.

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Referees could have a new tool at their disposal to combat dissentCredit: GettyProposals were made to bring in a ‘blue card’, which would be used to send players to a sin bin.

The sin bin would be designated for players who are found guilty of dissent, as well as ‘anti-football’ actions.

The proposals caused controversy across the sport which forced International FA Board lawmakers into a rethink.

On Saturday, at the upcoming annual general meeting, the blue card plan is set to be shelved.

READ MORE ON TALKSPORTHowever, the introduction of a sin bin has still on the table with officials keen to cut down on dissent shown to referees.

Trials have already taken place and the first sin bins will be rolled out across semi-professional level.

However, it remains unclear how such a proposal will work in the realms of football, including what actions constitute ‘anti-football’.

It has been suggested that cynical fouls could be included, much like the one that Giorgio Chiellini committed on Bukayo Saka in the Euro 2020 final.

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IFAB had proposed the idea of referees being allowed to give blue cards to playersCredit: Getty

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But the blue card could be scrapped, though sin bins could remainCredit: GettyThe incident was highlighted by FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina as a clear example of stopping play in cynical fashion.

The meeting at the weekend will see some of football’s top officials debate the rules including Arsene Wenger and Gianni Infantino.

Leeds fan goes on angry tirade over the proposed ‘blue card’ being introduced to football by referees

However, it is also possible that referees will be given greater powers to clamp down on dissent without the use of sin bins.

Instead, referees could be allowed to caution any player who abuses them and leave it up to them to deal with the punishment.

Collina is also keen on VAR to be given more scope, including over corners, free-kicks and yellow cards.

However, this idea does not have as much support with some IFAB members fearful that VAR has already been given too much prominence.