Source:
USA TODAY Sports / Naoki Nishimura
[Saba
Sports News] Several reputable media outlets have reported that the
International Football Association Council has approved the implementation of
the blue card rule. In sports such as ice hockey and rugby, there are rules
that allow for temporary player suspensions. Under these rules, the penalized
team will have one fewer player on the field for a few minutes, but they will
not be permanently disadvantaged in terms of numbers. In football, if a player
commits a more severe foul, such as one that disrupts the opponent’s
threatening offense or displays dissent towards match officials, they will be
shown a blue card and be sent off for 10 minutes. Temporary send-offs have
already been tested in amateur and youth football matches in England and Wales
but were primarily targeted at “disobedient” players. According to
The Times, the blue card rule will not be immediately implemented in top-level
competitions. However, it is set to be trialed in the FA Cup during the
upcoming season. In the editor’s opinion, the introduction of a temporary
“dark room” in football matches could effectively penalize tactical
fouls.