Sin bins are pointless, keep it in Rugby!

Football fan groups have criticised “sin bins”, saying that they’re pointless and should be kept in rugby.

At a recent IFAB annual business meeting, sin bins (Where a player who gets a yellow card is sent off for a short period of the game) were approved for trial at higher levels of football. It comes after many instances where challenges in football aren’t given a red or yellow card.

A spokesperson from Magpie 24/7 came forward and was very vocal about this topic:

“Sin Bins are absolutely pointless. Keep it in Rugby! It definitely worries me. As where do you draw the line? What’s a sin bin offence?

“What’s a yellow card or a red card. The yellow and red card doesn’t need to be added to. Referees are card-happy as it is.”

A spokesperson from the fan group FoxCanary was also sceptical. They said:

“In concept, it is a good idea, but it complicates a referee’s job further; who is to say what a cynical foul is or if someone has deliberately fouled someone or gone for the ball,

“Additionally, there are a lot of sub-issues to do with sin bins that won’t be looked at, so I’m not looking forward to them. “

Sin Bins were first introduced at all levels of grassroots football in the 19/20 season. In an attempt to improve levels of respect and fair play in football.

The recent proposals will be trialled to improve participant behaviour and increase respect for match officials.

The trials will also monitor dissent and specific tactical offences. IFAB agreed that a team’s captain can only approach the referee in certain moments of a match.

For example, if there was a shout for a handball, instead of four or five people from the team crowding the referee, only the captain can come forward and talk to the official.