Due to the ever-growing behavior problem surrounding the worldwide soccer scene, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has revealed plans that could introduce a new disciplinary measure: the blue card. This addition, if approved, would join the existing yellow and red cards, adding a new element to the sport.
Announced in November 2023, the blue card aims to penalize players for dissent and cynical fouls. Since 1970, a yellow card has acted as a warning, and a red card has signified a complete suspension from the game. Unlike its counterparts, a blue card would suspend a player from the field of play for just 10 minutes. This new addition to the game would serve as a punishment in between the existing yellow and red cards.
The decision to introduce blue cards comes during an era of the sport with a noticeable increase in on-field altercations. The aim is that, by implementing this new disciplinary system, players will be more reluctant to commit these poor behavioral decisions. Theoretically, this allows for a better flowing, more respectful, and more sportsmanlike environment on the pitch.
Lower leagues already implement “sin-bins,” which are similar ideas. Players are sent to an area off the field for several minutes after showing unsportsmanlike behavior. Yellow cards are used in a similar way at the high school level. When shown a yellow card during a Colonial League match, the player must step off the pitch for five minutes.
Sin-bins, along with blue cards now, will slowly make their way up in competitive levels of the sport. Trials are being held to show how they could be implemented into the game over time. Opinions on these implementations are mixed as of now.
IFAB’s full plans are expected to be unveiled soon, with the success of their trials likely influencing the broader adoption of blue cards in the sport. The ultimate goal is to fully introduce this to the highest competitive level by 2025.
The implementation of the blue card could be especially impactful if it spreads to the high school level. We’ve seen how yellow cards are already being used in a similar way, meaning that another temporary suspension could be redundant.
It’s not known how widespread this change will actually become, but it seems as though the board fully believe in it. A drastic change to such an age-old game such as this will often come with speculation, however.
While the blue card concept seems excellent initially, it could have many downsides. Critics argue that introducing another card could complicate the game further. Officiating has always been a controversial topic, but it seems that there is more media coverage in today’s world than ever.
Referees are still humans making decisions, meaning mistakes are bound to happen. Introducing more subjective calls to the sport creates even more room for error. Calls like these open up more opportunities for referees to wrongfully change the game’s outcome. This could be negative for fans, managers, players, and referees themselves.
“I think this would break up the play too much,” senior soccer player Sidney Rosenberg said. “I don’t think this is an addition that we need currently. Instead, we need to be addressing and fixing the officiating problems that already exist.”
Many fans share Rosenberg’s concern. With advancing technology and automation within the sport, it seems problems with refereeing could be almost completely eliminated by now. This is far from the truth, however, with leagues often having to admit apologies regarding poor decisions.
As soccer continues to evolve, so do the laws of the game. The proposed introduction of the blue card is yet another significant attempt to refine the sport as a whole. Whether or not this new change is one that sticks is a question that only time can tell.
