The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has addressed reports about a so-called blue card system with clear reservations. A spokesman for FIFA labeled these accounts as premature and inaccurate, emphasizing that any form of testing would need to be carefully confined to responsible trials conducted at lower levels before considering broader use. The organization made this stance explicit in its communications while outlining that it would return to the topic during forthcoming discussions at the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), scheduled to take place on March 2.
News outlets previously circulated that IFAB was exploring the introduction of blue cards, a disciplinary measure that would impose a ten-minute penalty period on players deemed to have committed serious fouls or engaged in disruptive behavior. The Telegraph, a British publication, suggested that the decision regarding a potential pilot program could be taken early in the week, with formal deliberations possibly occurring on February 9. The proposed pilots would initially target youth and women’s football, as well as lower-tier leagues, with the broader aim of assessing impact before any wider rollout.
Under the proposed plan, a blue card would be shown as a formal sanction for clearly tactical fouls or for moments when a player argues openly with the referee, resulting in a temporary removal from play. The precise rules governing when and how the blue card would be issued were described as moving parts of the deliberation process, with organizers underscoring the need for consistency and fairness across different competition levels.
Officials have stressed that any introduction of such a measure would proceed with caution. They highlighted the importance of evaluating how a 10-minute penalty would affect match dynamics, team strategies, and the overall spirit of the game. The discussions would also consider potential overlaps with existing disciplines, the length of stoppages, and the practicalities of enforcement by referees in varying contexts. The goal remains to preserve the integrity of matches while providing a clear, enforceable option to deter abusive or overly aggressive conduct on the pitch.
In summary, the current position is that FIFA is not endorsing a rapid rollout. Instead, it advocates for careful, controlled experimentation and a measured assessment of outcomes. The broader intention is to ensure any new tool would contribute positively to player safety, fair play, and the smooth progression of matches. Stakeholders in national associations, leagues, and the sport’s governing bodies would likely be consulted extensively as part of a transparent evaluation process. The ultimate objective is to align disciplinary measures with evolving standards of behavior on and off the field, while maintaining a balanced approach that avoids unintended consequences in competitive play.