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English FA introduce sin-bins...

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English FA introduce sin-bins at lower league level


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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has welcomed the introduction of rugby-style sin-bins at grassroots level in England.

The FA has announced the 10-minute long dismissals will apply across dozens of leagues in 2019-20, including youth, veterans, and disabilities competitions - plus the women's game.

The system which allows the referee to send a player off for a ten minute period for dissent has been on trial in 31 leagues.

84% of referees, 77% of managers and coaches, and 72% of players were in favour of it being brought in permanently.

"If suddenly, you're playing football for your team, and you're lost for ten minutes, the impact is immediately on your team against who you're playing," said Gallagher.

"So I think the deterrent is a big thing, rather than stacking up five yellow cards and then getting suspended against a team which you haven't really offended against."

Cards will still be used with cautions still issued for foul play and unsporting behaviour while the yellow card will be used to indicate a sin-bin, complemented by the referee pointing clearly to the sidelines with both arms.

Players who are placed in the sin bin will not be allowed to be involved in the match at all for 10 minutes, including being substituted off for a teammate on the bench.

If a player is sin-binned for a second time in the match, the player is not allowed to return to the field of play but can be substituted.

"The introduction of sin bins is a positive step for grassroots football," said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

"They allow referees to address incidents of dissent quickly and effectively.

"Dissent is a key part of the game that needs to be tackled, and our pilot phase has proved that sin bins work well. The trial showed a huge impact on behaviour that we want to roll out to the whole game and make it more enjoyable for everyone."


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