Professional football games would be introducing a fourth major color card as part of sin-bin trials, which was the first time a new colored card would be used in 50 years.
The Telegraph reported that the new "blue card" would be announced at the International Football Association Board on Friday (Feb. 10). The blue card would signify that a player would be removed from the field for 10 minutes if they committed a cynical foul or show dissent towards a match official.
The protocols would add a new modification to player dismissals, with those being shown the blue card twice or a combination of a blue and a yellow card would be sent off the game.
It was said that there would be elite trials beginning as early as summer, though top-tier competition would be excluded from initial testing.
White and Blue Cards to Complement Yellow and Red
Blue cards have been used this season during a sin-bin trial in grassroots football in Wales, with the color chosen to differentiate it clearly from a yellow or red card. Other countries, such as Portugal, have also adopted the blue card as a new measure to recognize good sportsmanship.
In October last year, A Portuguese fifth-division player was believed to be the first recipient of a white 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 realized that the defender was badly hurt and turned away from the 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 recognized by the referee who walked over to the player and brandished the white card.
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