Football’s world governing body FIFA has labelled media reports about the decision to test a blue card as “incorrect and premature”.
“Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels,” FIFA announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday (local time, Friday AEDT).
British newspaper The Telegraph had previously reported that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) had authorised the trial introduction of a new blue card.
This is intended to impose a 10-minute time penalty on players if, for example, they have prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity through a minor foul, or they have verbally attacked officials.
As the newspaper writes, citing IFAB, two blue cards would lead to a red card (immediate dismissal of the player), as would one blue and one yellow (cautioning the player).
The first tests could be carried out over the off-season, but not in the top leagues. The English Football Association is considering making the FA Cup and the women’s cup competition available on a voluntary basis.
If the blue card were to be included in the rulebook, it would be the first new card since the introduction of yellow and red cards at the 1970 World Cup.
Other sports, such as handball, have something akin to a blue card.
The card has been in place in handball since 2016. This is shown to make it immediately clear to all parties involved that a report of the incident will come following a dismissal (red card).
Australian Associated Press
