'Absolute joke' - Alan Shearer in no doubt about blue cards thanks to handball rule

The news that 'blue cards' and sin bins could be introduced has caused controversy, and Newcastle hero Shearer is in no doubt about whether new punishments will improve the game

Alan Shearer, the legendary Newcastle United forward, has criticised plans to introduce 'blue cards' and sin bins in football.

The Telegraph reported that the International Football Association Board had approved the introduction of a 'blue card', which would see players removed from matches for 10 minutes for certain offences. FIFA, however, insisted that trials of 'blue cards' and sin bins would not take place at the top level of the game.

Despite this, it is believed that IFAB will announce their plans later this year. Shearer expressed his disapproval while discussing a penalty awarded to Sheffield United in their win against Luton Town. The Newcastle hero believes that the new rules would only cause further confusion.

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"The handball rule as we know is an absolute joke. You're hearing managers and players every single week saying 'We just don't know what handball is any more'," Shearer said on Match of the Day.

"These are the same guys, IFAB - who are making the handball rule, who actually may want to bring blue cards in for sin bins. Do me a favour man, honestly!"

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also had his say on blue cards after Saturday's 3-1 win against Burnley - and was not impressed.

"Imagine in this game and the referee has a blue card available? It would have been the Wild West," he said. "There were so many yellow cards.

"I had no clue why Vincent Kompany got it. I lost it in that situation so fine, give me a yellow card. As long as I don't get a blue one and have to sit somewhere for 10 minutes!"