The issue is off the table

Infantino is against it: Red for the “blue card”

The introduction of the blue card is off the table.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

After FIFA President Gianni Infantino put his foot down, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has halted the introduction of the blue card as a signal for time penalties in professional soccer for the time being. 

As the rules committee announced on Saturday after its meeting in Glasgow, developments in youth and amateur soccer will be observed before any trial phases in higher leagues. No time frame was specified.

"The topic does not exist for us"
The IFAB had actually wanted to vote on a test phase for the blue card in the English Cup. Infantino had categorically rejected this. "There will be no blue card at the top level. The issue does not exist for us," Infantino told reporters in Glasgow. He had not been aware of the issue before it had already been discussed publicly in recent weeks through media reports, Infantino said. "If they want a headline, it's 'Red card for the blue card'," the Swiss said.

Gianni Infantino

(Bild: AFP)

FIFA has four out of eight votes on the committee and therefore has the power to block all proposed rules. The other members are one representative each from the soccer associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The idea of the blue card, which is accompanied by a ten-minute mandatory break, had already attracted criticism. Well-known Premier League coaches as well as coaches from Austria's Bundesliga had expressed massive doubts as to whether it made sense.

Infantino absent from press conference
Infantino did not attend the press conference after the meeting on Saturday. Interim Secretary General Mattias Grafström sat on the podium on behalf of FIFA. The Swede was also appointed as the new Chairman of the IFAB Board of Directors, a further increase in power for Infantino's confidant.

(Bild: STEFFEN SCHMIDT / EPA / picturedesk.com)

Grafström announced other rule test runs, which can now be started in all competitions below the top two national leagues. Referees will be given the opportunity to send both teams into their penalty area to "cool down" after heated situations or pack formations. Furthermore, only the captains will be allowed to speak to the referee in dangerous situations at the referee's signal - otherwise there will be personal penalties, the minimum being a yellow card.

There will be no blue cards at the top level. The issue does not exist for us.

Gianni Infantino

Bild: Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Measure against delay of game
Goalkeepers will be allowed to hold the ball in their hands for eight seconds before taking the ball, but no longer. Referees are to indicate the expiry of the time limit by means of a visual countdown. According to Grafström, these rules will be tested at the Olympic soccer tournament in Paris this summer. However, these innovations cannot be permanently incorporated into the rules before summer 2025.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The test phase for announcing decisions based on video evidence has been extended. These are to be tested in further competitions before they are possibly introduced on a mandatory basis.