IFAB: three protocols to be tested in lower divisions; no mention of "blue cards"

News Tank Football - Paris - News #317030 - Published on
©  IFAB
IFAB: 138th Annual General Meeting in Loch Lomond (SCO) on 02/03/2024 - ©  IFAB

At IFAB's 138th Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) in Loch Lomond (SCO) on 02/03/2024, "detailed protocols for three trials in domestic competitions below the top two tiers aimed at improving participant behaviour were approved, namely: 
1 - Only a team's captain being able to approach the referee in certain situations.
2 - The introduction of cooling-off periods to allow the referee to require teams to go to their own penalty area.
3 - Increasing the time limit for the goalkeepers holding the ball to eight seconds, otherwise possession will revert to the opposing team."

The International Football Association Board's press release, however, makes no mention of the "blue card" (temporary exclusion of a player in the event of an obvious foul or excessive aggressive reaction), which the IFAB would like to test at the highest level, according to the British daily The Telegraph on 08/02/2024. However, FIFA immediately deemed this information "incorrect and premature".

"The current guidelines to temporary dismissals in youth and grassroots football…

©  IFAB
IFAB: 138th Annual General Meeting in Loch Lomond (SCO) on 02/03/2024 - ©  IFAB

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