IFAB consider sin-bins for dissent in major rule change for Everton and Liverpool
IFAB are considering several new measures in a bid to tackle misbehaviour in professional football
The International FA Board is reportedly considering a trial of 10-minute sin-bins for dissent in the professional game and only allowing the captain to approach a referee.
Football's lawmakers have a growing desire to tackle misbehaviour in the sport, and it is claimed in The Times that IFAB, which is set to hold its business meeting in London in a fortnight, is considering several new measures, such as the introduction of sin-bins, as they aim to tackle misbehaviour in the sport.
Sin-bins were introduced in grassroots and junior football in England in 2019, and now it is claimed that they could be introduced to the professional game amid a growing desire to tackle misbehaviour in the sport, with this season's Premier League alone already seeing 88 bookings for dissent. Although The Times reports that sin-bins would only operate for dissent at this stage and not for foul play or other offences.
READ MORE: Six reasons why this might not be another false dawn for Everton
READ MORE: Liverpool have midfielder who is quietly outperforming Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo
“We have identified participant misbehaviour as a major problem for football and it will be the main topic for IFAB for the upcoming years,” Lukas Brud, the chief executive of IFAB, told The Times.
“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.”
Brud then added: “It starts at the top. What the football idols do in a match, kids and adults in amateur football will copy the next day.
“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.”