New "Blue Card" Rule in Soccer by Stella Loverich
Source: The Sporting News
A defender makes a risky tackle, sliding and taking out the striker’s legs as he dribbles toward the box. What decision will the ref make? It could be just a foul, perhaps he was only going for the ball. It could be a yellow. In some cases the ref might even say that’s a red. Well now you have an answer. A “blue card” will now be introduced in lower-level matches as a way to address calculated tackles, arguing, and dissent to match officials.
Why are they being introduced?
In recent seasons some players have been making dangerous tackles and also talking back to the refs. A lot of fans, managers, and officials have called for a change to stop this and the blue card may be the answer.
How do they work?
A blue card “sin bin” might be given to a player for smaller offenses that do not warrant a red, similar to a yellow. Except blues are specifically for cynical tackles/dissent to refs, including moving the ball up from a free kick, arguing with the ref, and more. If you get a blue you will be sent off for 10 minutes. If your team still has subs left, you can be subbed back in after 10 minutes. The same as a yellow, 2 blues means an automatic red.
What games will you see them being used?
It is unlikely that they will be used in top-tier leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga yet. This is because trials still need to be run in grassroots leagues and smaller tournaments.
The IFAB (international football association board) should grant permission to use it in higher levels on their meeting on March 2. However this does not mean you will see it even next season or the next. 2026/27 is looking like the earliest this new rule will be given the green light.
Does everyone support this rule change?
It seems no. Jurgen Klopp said “These kinds of things just make it more complicated” and Ange Postecoglou also questioned it, saying “I don’t know if there’s that much wrong with the game,” and “I don’t know why a different color card is going to make a difference.” Carlo Ancelotti said, "The rules are more complicated every year. I don't know if a blue card makes a referee's job more simple, or more difficult.”
https://theathletic.com/5260776/2024/02/08/blue-cards-football-sin-bins/
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39485753/blue-cards-introduced-football-sin-bin-trials-soccer