FIFA Says Discussing Blue Cards in Elite Football is “Incorrect and Premature”

On this particular Thursday, FIFA, the global governing body for football, felt the need to respond to the circulating news regarding the integration of ‘blue cards’ into football refereeing. They sought to clarify that implying their introduction into professional football in the near future is both “incorrect and premature”.

“FIFA feels the need to clarify that any reports suggesting the introduction of the so-called ‘blue card’ at the highest levels of football are both incorrect and premature,” was the statement posted on FIFA’s ‘X’ social network account.

There had been rumors, particularly emanating from England, suggesting the imminent arrival of an updated disciplinary code, and the introduction of a new tool for referees to maintain discipline on the field. This proposed blue card was to be used by referees against players who protest excessively, leading to a 10-minute expulsion of the player from the game.

The global governing body of football confirmed that such a tool is being considered. However, they emphasized that “any trials for such a tool, if it were to be implemented, should be responsibly limited to lower levels of the sport.”

FIFA further explained that this will be the proposal they present at the annual General Assembly of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on March 2. The IFAB is the body responsible for defining the rules of football worldwide and making any future modifications to these rules.