Football set to hand referees a BLUE CARD – the first new colour of card to be widely used in 50 years – as part of revolutionary new rules

A blue card is set to be introduced in professional football as part of sin-bin trials, marking the first new colour of card widely used in 50 years. 

According to The Telegraph, the revolutionary move will be announced by International Football Association Board on Friday as part of new measures that will see players removed from play for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards a match official.

The protocols will add a new wrinkle to dismissals as players would now be sent off if they receive two blue cards in a game or a combination of a blue and a yellow. 

The report goes on to say that elite trials could begin as soon as the summer, though top-tier competition will be excluded from initial testing. 

As a result, FA Cup and Women’s FA Cup matches may be included in trials, with the FA reportedly considering volunteering next season’s competitions for testing.

Blue cards have been used this season during a sin-bin trial in grassroots football in Wales, with the colour chosen to differentiate it clearly from a yellow or red card.

The introduction of new cards has already taken place on a smaller scale on the continent, with Portugal recently adopting a new measure to recognise good sportsmanship. 

In October last year, A Portuguese fifth division player was believed to be the first recipient of a white card in the men’s card after passing up an opportunity to score after an opposing defender gave the ball away on the edge of his own penalty box and immediately went down injured and in significant pain.

The attacker quickly realised the defender was badly hurt and turned away from goal before kicking the ball out for a throw-in so he could receive treatment. 

The sporting gesture was applauded by the fans in attendance, and was swiftly recognised by the referee who walked over to the player and brandished the white card.