IT'S not a red, it's not a yellow, it's a blue card! We take a look at the effect of blue card (sin bins) introduced into the lower football leagues this season and see why football associations are turning blue...
Special report below.
Report by Terry Allday
The UK's media have already kicked off (no pun intended) regarding the International Football Association Board (Ifab) decision to introduce sin bins into the laws of the game next year.
The biggest, by far, cause of cautions (yellow cards) is for dissent towards referees - it's also called abuse.
This has increased season on season and - following the FAWs Referees Survey - is the main reason there are less referees at grass roots level.
Why introduce ‘blue card’ sin bins into football?
The biggest concern is the lack of referees at grassroots level - and this is something the FAW are trying to address.
At the start of the 2023-24 season, the FAW introduced three initiatives to tackle this lack of referees.
Firstly, a survey to referees and found many are leaving the game due to receiving abuse.
Secondly, the introduction of Yellow Arm Bands for Junior Referees to identify the u18s who referee the junior games. This was to reduce the referees being “bullied” by the adult coaches.
And thirdly, FAW have become part of the Ifab’s trial on Sin Bins.
The trials are in the six regional associations’ county leagues. In the SWFA area, that’s the SW Alliance League.
Basically, a player showing dissent to the referee - rather than just being cautioned - is sent to the technical area for 10 mins. This means the team itself suffers with a reduced number of players on the field of play.
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Results of the ‘blue card’ in football in the Vale?
Overall in the SW Alliance League (up to January 5, 2024) the comparison between 2022-23 (cautions for dissent) averaged 0.62 per game.
With the introduction of sin bins so far it has reduced to 0.41 per game - a reduction of 30 per cent.
Regarding sin bins for the seven Vale teams in the SW Alliance (up to February 10, 2024) there's been 14 players sin binned which averages at 0.17 per game.
Vale teams are ahead of the average which is excellent news.
This also underpins and reflects the fact that the local Vale of Glamorgan AFL often has a full compliment of referees each week at senior level and many referees in junior games.
It highlights a well-run local league and a huge positive for local football.
Learn more about understanding the Laws of the Game. All courses are now on-line and are available on the FAW’s website https://becomearef.wales/
Anyone who is considering refereeing. please feel free to contact the Vale of Glamorgan Referee Society (Bro Refs) for any advice or help. Email: vogrs@hotmail.co.uk.
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