IFAB recommends trial of sin bins in professional football for dissent and tactical fouls

Football’s rule-making body has recommended a high-level trial for ‘sin bins’ to punish players for dissent or “tactical offences”.

The International Football Association Board is responsible for writing and updating the Laws of the Game and has been looking at ways to improve the behaviour of players and to increase and promote respect for match officials.

After what it says was a successful trial of using ‘temporary dismissals’ in grassroots football, it is now recommending that a new procedure is tested at a higher level.

Under the proposed rule, only team captains would be permitted to approach the referee during flashpoints and after decisions, while dissent or “specific tactical offences” would be punished with players being sent to ‘sin bins’ for a set period of time.

The plan doesn’t yet have a timescale for introduction but procedures and a system for implementing the system are being drawn up.

Discussions also took place at the meeting about strengthening the rules and sanctions for players and coaches who show “disrespectful conduct” and anyone sparking or involving themselves in mass confrontations.

The meeting, chaired by Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell, included sin bins in a raft of recommendations, including the need to develop semi-automated offside technology to improve decision-making. It also heard updates on body cameras for referees, a new VAR communication chance where referees would announce final decisions, and a possible amendment to the handball rule.

Steps to cut down on time-wasting and “disruption to game tempo” were discussed, with further talks and decisions to be taken at the IFAB AGM in Glasgow next year.