Sin bin trial start date confirmed and specific foul referees will clamp down on
Football's lawmakers have approved a “sin bin” trial as part of a major clampdown on player behaviour.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) met in London on Tuesday and have agreed new measures to improve conduct on the pitch. It will see “sin bins” being trialed in the amateur game from next season and if successful could potentially be brought in from the 2025/26 season.
They also agreed to a new rule where only team captains can approach the referee and officials during flashpoints which were described as “major game situations.” FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina told Sky that the abuse and physical threat facing officials “might be the cancer that kills football.”
The “sin bin” trial was also welcomed by referees’ charity and pressure group RefssupportUK who have been calling for better protection and respect for officials. They said: “Temporary Dismissals (Sin bins) at higher levels will be very interesting and it will remain to be seen what ‘higher levels’ mean but this is a major positive step forward in addressing poor behaviour in our game. Well done to all involved.”
It is likely that “sin bins” could be used at semi-pro level and if is a success then it could be fast tracked into top leagues as there is a real push to bring back respect for officials. Players could be banished from the pitch in a similar style to rugby and leave the field for ten minutes after specific offences like “tactical fouls” and more minor dissent.
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Tactical fouls are often used by teams to slow the game down and to disrupt play but it has crept into top level football. Dissent and mass confrontations is also becoming a bigger issue and, even though there was a clampdown on players surrounding refs two seasons ago, football’s lawmakers want to get even tougher.
That is also likely to see a trial whereby only team captains can approach the officials and again this was recommended to be put forward for IFAB’s next meeting in Glasgow on March 2 when it could get rubber stamped and brought in for next season.
Football's lawmakers have approved a "sin bin" trial (Getty Images)The board meeting - attended by Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham - also gave the green light for referees to wear body cameras at a higher level after what was described as a “successful” grassroots trial. The grassroots trial highlighted shocking touchline behaviour from coaches, parents and players towards officials and it could work well to safeguard referees at all levels of the game.
There was no big change to VAR but the prospect of more changes to the current system remains on the table which could see video technology also look at free kicks, corners and second yellow cards. However, it is felt that until the use of VAR - it currently checks goals, red cards penalties and offsides - is improved and delays are reduced, then it should not be widened.
The Premier League will also look at bringing in semi-automated offsides for next season as the technology will be used at next month’s Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia and was a big hit at last year’s World Cup. There was also a review and clarification of the exciting handball laws with deliberate handballs denying a goalscoring opportunity resulting in a red card and accidental resulting in a yellow.
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