England

Blue cards in football would be a backward step for the game | Karen Carney

15-Feb-2024 13:00:14 | Guardian

We need to eradicate dissent but risking the quality of the spectacle is not the way to do it

Innovation is key to the success of business, and football is no different. New ideas are supposed to take things forward, whereas the latest suggestion to introduce blue cards and sin-bins for dissent and tactical fouls would be a backward step for the game.

We need to eradicate dissent but risking the quality of the spectacle is not the way to do it. Referees should not be subjected to abuse and players need to learn how to control themselves in a pressurised environment when one decision can change the course of a match or season. But if they overstep the mark, officials have the means to punish them with a yellow or red card. These methods can be used more often to help referees. Bringing in an alternative does not seem worthwhile because it is overcomplicating matters.