Local football enthusiasts and pundits have expressed mixed feelings over the potential introduction of the blue card, with some raising concerns about its impact on the beautiful game.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body responsible for the laws of football, recently announced plans to trial blue cards. These cards would serve as a temporary suspension for players involved in cynical fouls, akin to the sin-bin concept seen in other sports.
Initially reported by The Telegraph, the blue card proposal suggests that offending players would be sidelined for 10 minutes upon receiving the card. If a player accumulates a second blue card, they will subsequently receive a red card, and be dismissed from the game.
FIFA, football’s global governing body, clarified that these trials would not occur at the elite levels of the sport. Instead, they will be discussed at the upcoming IFAB Annual General Meeting on 2 March. FIFA emphasised the importance of responsible testing, particularly at lower levels of play.
But what exactly are blue cards? Drawing inspiration from rules in field hockey and rugby, the blue card would offer referees a tool for addressing fouls based on their severity, leading to temporary player suspensions.
While specifics of the rule remain undisclosed until after the IFAB AGM, the concept has already undergone testing in amateur leagues in England and Wales. Here, players receiving a blue card face a 10-minute suspension, with repeat offenders facing expulsion from the match.
Renowned local sports expert Isack Hamata weighed in on the development, noting its resemblance to disciplinary measures in other sports. While acknowledging the innovation potential, he expressed reservations about its impact on football’s essence.
He urged a balanced approach, suggesting a trial period for the blue card to assess its effectiveness. He also advocated for national discretion in its adoption, emphasising the need for thorough evaluation before widespread implementation.
“There’s a push for innovation in football, and I understand that spirit,” he acknowledged. “While I appreciate the attempt to improve the game, I’m concerned about the proposed new rule. Rugby has a similar system that works well, but the explanation for this one leaves me sceptical. However, as football fans, we should remain open-minded, and give it a fair trial. If it doesn’t deliver, scrapping it shouldn’t be prohibited.”
“Furthermore, I believe individual nations should have the autonomy to decide if they want to implement this rule within their leagues. Allowing them ample time to experiment and evaluate its effectiveness would be crucial,” Hamata said. Adding to the discourse, seasoned football coach and FC Ongos football director Ricardo Mannetti remained hesitant towards the blue card, stressing the need for thorough testing before passing judgement.
“It’s challenging to predict the impact of the card on the game until we’ve had the chance to test it thoroughly. Moreover, I fear that its introduction could add further complexity, especially considering the ongoing struggles within the football fraternity to fully grasp the intricacies of VAR technology. Therefore, I believe we must prioritise mastering the existing rules that remain ambiguous before determining the suitability of this new addition to football,” he continued.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com