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<\/p>\nThe International Football Association Board has agreed for sin bin trials at higher levels <\/p>\n
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Sin bins should be trialled at higher levels of football following their successful implementation in the grassroots game, the sport\u2019s lawmaking body has agreed.<\/p>\n
Temporary dismissals of players for offences such as dissent and specific tactical fouls were backed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at its annual business meeting.<\/p>\n
IFAB board members also supported a proposed trial whereby only the team captain may approach the referee in certain major game situations.<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s meeting in London will shape the agenda for the organisation\u2019s annual general meeting, which will be held on March 2 in Glasgow, where any proposed changes to the laws of the game will be considered for approval.<\/p>\n
Protocols and a system for trialling will now be developed.<\/p>\n
Board member Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the Football Association, said: \u201cWhen we were looking at sin bins \u2013 protocol clearly has to be developed \u2013 the areas we were looking at were dissent, where it\u2019s worked very, very well in the grassroots game in England.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also spoken about other areas, particularly tactical fouls.<\/p>\n
\nWe’re then looking at whether we should extend it into other areas, such as tactical fouls<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cI think frustration for fans watching games when they see a promising counter-attack that\u2019s ruined by that and the question of whether a yellow card is sufficient for that has led to us looking at whether that should be involved in the protocol as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe starting point was looking at player behaviour and dissent \u2013 we\u2019re then looking at whether we should extend it into other areas, such as tactical fouls, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sin bins were introduced across all levels of grassroots football from the 2019-20 season in an attempt to to improve levels of respect and fair play in the game.<\/p>\n
The rule change was implemented up to step five of the National League system and tier three and below in women\u2019s football.<\/p>\n
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee who sits on the IFAB\u2019s technical subcommittee, said the proposed trials would \u201cvery probably\u201d involve professional football.<\/p>\n
Subject to approval at the AGM in March, they could begin as early as next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to go deeper into all of the details because it\u2019s easy to say we do (it) and it\u2019s a bit more difficult how to regulate everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the idea is to start working on this as soon as possible to provide those who would be involved in the trial a protocol to be used.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to get it soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe trial was very successful in a grassroots competition. Now we are talking of a higher level, very probably professional or even high professional football.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to draft something that works or is worthy for top football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Improving player behaviour was at the heart of the Heathrow meeting, which was chaired by Ian Maxwell, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association.<\/p>\n
Discussions included support of measures to prevent players surrounding match officials, which has become a common sight in the modern game, by limiting access to the referee to team captains at certain times.<\/p>\n
Board members also agreed any new VAR measures should not result in any additional delays to matches, while supporting the need to continue developing semi-automated offside technology.<\/p>\n
Additionally, they discussed potential strategies to address time lost in matches and tactics aimed at disrupting the game\u2019s tempo, including in relation to the six-second restriction for goalkeepers, delaying restarts and managing injuries.<\/p>\n
A possible law amendment, which would result in handball offences for which penalties are awarded being punished in the same way as fouls in terms of yellow and red cards, was a further consideration.<\/p>\n