The football world is constantly evolving, with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at the forefront of discussing and implementing rule changes to enhance the game. February 2024 saw heated debates over the proposal of introducing a blue card, aimed at penalizing dissent and tactical fouls with a 10-minute suspension. This move, alongside other innovations like VAR and the increase in substitutions, marks a significant shift in how the game is played and governed. For fans looking to keep up with these changes and how they might affect betting strategies, turning to reliable sources is key. Those interested in exploring how these rules could impact their betting experience, especially in regions like Bangladesh, can find valuable insights and options on Bangladesh local betting sites, offering a comprehensive guide to navigating the betting landscape amidst football’s evolving rules.
In February 2024, the introduction of the blue card was hotly debated in the football world. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which regulates the rules of the game, proposed that it should be shown for disagreeing with a match official, as well as in the case of a deliberate tactical foul that interrupts a promising attack by an opponent. A player who receives a blue card will be suspended for 10 minutes. This rule is one of many innovations that may appear in football along with the already approved ones: the use of VAR, spray on free kicks, increasing substitutions to five and abolishing the away goal rule in playoffs. Let’s take a look back at what other rule changes have been proposed and tested.
What Cards Tried to Be Introduced in Football
The possible appearance of the blue card caused mixed reactions. Judging by the comments in the media, this rule with 10-minute suspensions was not liked by most professionals. Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp criticised the use of the new card.
“The introduction of the new card will only provide even more opportunities to make mistakes,” said the German. – “They will discuss: ‘They showed a blue card, but it should have been a yellow card, but he missed 10 minutes’. It just complicates everything. If they want to test it – I have no problem with that. Now it doesn’t seem like a fantastic idea, but actually, I can’t recall the last time these IFAB blokes put forward any worthwhile proposal. If it’s ever happened at all… No, and I’m 56 years old.”
There are Those in Favour of Innovation
There are also those to whom this idea doesn’t seem so bad. Barcelona head coach Xavi suggested testing the blue card and concluding only after that:
“I think we should try it. FIFA is doing its best to try something new in the youth and youth categories,” Xavi said. “If it works, there will be another tool in football. If it’s good for football, we’ll see it straight away.”
FIFA have been quick to respond to the debate about the new rule. The Federation Internationale de Football Association released a statement emphasising that the report on the use of the blue card at the top level was “erroneous and premature”. Lesser tournaments will be tested first.
According to The Telegraph, the introduction of the blue card was planned to be announced on 9 February 2024, but after a strong reaction to the news from the football community, the reform was postponed. It was reported that the innovation was going to be used, in particular, in England – in matches of men’s and women’s Cup of the country. The source shared one more detail of this rule: if the blue card is received by the goalkeeper, the team will have to make a substitution for the goalkeeper or put a field player in the goal for 10 minutes. Also considered before the blue card was the introduction of an orange card with the same meaning – a 10-minute suspension for a flagrant tactical foul.
This is not the only new card that has been tried in football besides the traditional yellow and red cards. In Portugal last year, the white card was shown in the lower divisions and in the women’s championship. It was introduced in that country as part of the National Plan for Ethics in Sport to encourage gentlemanly behaviour by players and staff.
In the women’s match between Benfica and Sporting, referee Catarina Campos gave a white card to the clubs’ medical teams for the timely treatment of a player who felt unwell on the pitch. And in a match between men’s teams in the Portuguese fifth division, the referee assessed a white card for a player’s fair-play behaviour. The player had a good scoring opportunity when an opposing defender went limp while carrying the ball close to his goal and gestured for medical assistance. But the striker did not take advantage of his opponent’s injury and kicked the ball into touch.
In 2018, the green-coloured card was used for the first time during the CONIFA World Cup, a tournament for non-FIFA teams. But at that competition, it had a different meaning: punishment for unsportsmanlike behaviour – primarily foul language and disrespect for spectators and coaches. A player who earned a green card had to leave the field but could be replaced by another player if his team did not use all the substitutions required by the regulations.
Other Issues Currently Being Discussed
“The other issues that the IFAB and I are working on now are related to match time – pure time, to be more precise. We need to find some kind of solution because I believe that a match designed for an hour and a half should not last 46-48 minutes,” Infantino believes. “We will make many proposals, which will then be taken into account and tested. Some people will be sceptical about such changes, but the IFAB is open to suggestions to improve football.”
Nevertheless, football still uses dirty time, but in recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of minutes that are compensated for in the first and second halves.
