“We have to be serious” – FIFA President rejects idea of using blue cards

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has rejected the idea of using blue cards in football. When asked about the plan in Loch Lomond, Scotland, Infantino urges that there will no longer be a discussion over this topic and its implementation plan on the beautiful game, mainly in an elite competition. 

“FIFA is completely opposed to blue cards”- Gianni Infantino

For the past few months, a discussion sparked on the internet about whether the blue card should be implemented in football or not. It is a rule for players to be placed in a “sin bin” for some period of time as a punishment for a foul. 

“This is a topic that is non-existent for us,” said Infantino via Goal. “Fifa is completely opposed to blue cards. I was not aware of this topic, the president of Fifa – and I think Fifa has a say in IFAB. No way. We have to be serious. 

We are always open to looking at ideas and proposals and everything has to be treated with respect of course. But once you look at it you also have to protect the essence and tradition of the game. There is no blue card.”

The initial discussion over blue cards emerged when the International Football Association Board (IFAB), proposed a plan of the alternative method to counter fouls or any non-fair play acts on the pitch. When an application for such regulations in international football matches might be too early, it is believed that a blue card in football would be used in a domestic tournament such as FA Cup or League Cup. 

World’s Top managers take over blue Cards

Some notable managers have given their takes on this. Jose Mourinho, who is famous for his unorthodox behaviour towards regulations, is open to the idea. The Portuguese is currently in an unemployment period after being sacked by AS Roma in January.

“If there is something that takes it out I say yes and probably more fair than if you make a mistake or infraction in match then you pay it in that match it maybe makes sense and gives team a difficulty to deal with in that specific match,” said Mourinho on OneFootball. “You are out and have to play with one man less for 10 minutes ok lets go, I wouldn’t dislike I would say.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not confident with the proposal, saying that he preferred to making things simple for the sports. 

“These kind of things just make it more complicated,” Klopp told beIN Sports. “If they want to test it I have no problem with testing if that’s the first step to agreeing or it already being sure it will happen – I don’t know that.

“It doesn’t sound like a fantastic idea in the first moment but actually I can’t remember the last fantastic idea [which] came from these guys, if they ever had one. I am 56 and, pah, never.”

Aligned with Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti feels that such a regulation plan will only bring hassle to the referee on the pitch.  “Blue card? I think what we need to do is try to simply football as much as possible. To make things easier each year it’s becoming more and more complicated. I’m not sure the ‘Blue Card football’ will make the referee’s jobs easier.”

On the other hand, Pep Guardiola refused to say anything about it. “I have no comments on the potential introduction of blue cards (sin-bins rule),” he said. “Maybe I have an opinion if and when they are introduced.”