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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>IFAB considers sin bins for dissent</li><li>Rugby-inspired captain-only referee approach</li><li>Global concern on behaviour towards referees</li></ul>

10-minute sin bins! IFAB considering radical football rule change to crack down on referee abuse

According to <a href="The International FA Board (Ifab) is considering to introduce 10-minute sin bins to to crack down on referee abuse." target="_blank">The Times,</a> the lawmakers are mulling over introducing 10-minute sin bins for dissent in professional competitions, addressing rising concerns about referee abuse and assaults. Since 2019, trials in grassroots football have shown success, prompting a potential extension to professional leagues. IFAB also contemplates adopting rugby's captain-only approach to referees, limiting player interaction. This would significantly impact the current ruling where the match official can flash a card if two or more players surround him in protest. <picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltfd4aa8c12166eaeb/GOAL_-_Multiple_Images_-_3_Stacked_-_Facebook_(8).jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltfd4aa8c12166eaeb/GOAL_-_Multiple_Images_-_3_Stacked_-_Facebook_(8).jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltfd4aa8c12166eaeb/GOAL_-_Multiple_Images_-_3_Stacked_-_Facebook_(8).jpg?format=jpg" alt="PGMOL referee Premier League" data-source="Getty Images" data-copyright="Getty Images/GOAL composite" data-portal-copyright="Getty Images/GOAL composite" perform:prop="uuid:bltfd4aa8c12166eaeb;width:1920;height:1080"></picture>

WHAT HAPPENED?

With 88 dissent bookings in the Premier League this season, IFAB recognises participant misbehavior as a major issue, discussing solutions through Laws of the Game adjustments.A successful sin-bin pilot saw a 38 per cent reduction in dissent incidents, with 72 per cent of players, 77 per cent of coaches and 84 per cent of referees wanting to continue with the trial, emphasising the need to protect referees at all levels.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lukas Brud, the chief executive of IFAB, told The Times: “We have identified participant misbehaviour as a major problem for football and it will be the main topic for Ifab for the upcoming years. We are looking at what we can do either via the Laws of the Game or recommendations and guidelines for additional measures. Sin-bins for dissent have worked well in grassroots football, and some believe these could also be tested at a higher level, with trials in more senior football.“Players may not worry so much about getting a yellow card for saying something inappropriate to a referee, but it can make a big difference if they know it means a tenth of the match off the pitch. There is also a lot of interest from different stakeholders for the idea where only the captain can approach the referee in a fair way. Players approaching in an aggressive manner simply cannot be tolerated any longer. We have even seen on a number of occasions where players deliberately go behind a referee with others coming in front of him so he cannot get away. If only the captain can approach the referee, then afterwards he or she can explain to their team-mates what has happened. This has worked well in other sports such as rugby and basketball.”

WHAT LUKAS BRUD SAID

Brud revealed that referee drop-out rates after one season are alarming and he believes that the sin-bin rule will definitely motivate more young officials to continue with the sport without the fear of getting abused.“It starts at the top. What the football idols do in a match, kids and adults in amateur football will copy the next day,” Brud added.“There is a big problem with retaining referees or motivating people to start refereeing. They see what is happening on the pitches, they feel the abuse and are in fear of assaults.“We need to protect the integrity and image of the game and help referees to manage improper behaviour better.“There are testimonies even from referees in youth football about how they suffer with anxiety before matches, being unable to sleep, because they are worried about being abused, both verbally and physically. In some countries a large proportion of young referees are dropping out after their first couple of years.”

REFEREE DROP-OUT RATES ARE ALARMING

The IFAB is also carrying out trials with referees wearing body cameras to deter misbehaviour which are showing “very encouraging” results.As IFAB convenes in London in November, the outcome of their discussions may lead to trial implementations of 10-minute sin bins and captain-only referee approaches in professional football, marking potential transformative changes to address referee abuse.

WHAT NEXT?

10-minute sin bins! IFAB considering radical football rule change to crack down on referee abuse | Goal.com

The International FA Board (Ifab) is considering to introduce 10-minute sin bins to crack down on referee abuse.