FIFA president Gianni Infantino has ruled out the introduction of blue card in football saying he was not made aware of the proposals before they became public.
Reports emerged last month that the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is the body that makes football rules, had started the trials, although not at the elite level.
The proposed card would have seen players who showed dissent to a referee or committed a cynical foul to stop an attack shown a blue card before being sent to a sin-bin for 10 minutes.
However, addressing reporters at the IFAB AGM at Loch Lomond in Scotland, Infantino said FIFA was opposed to blue cards. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/01/ifab-under-pressure-to-accelerate-protective-measures-against-concussion">He said</a>:
<blockquote>
There will not be any blue cards used at elite level. This is a topic that is non-existent for us. 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. If you want a title it is a red card to the blue card.
</blockquote>
Infantino also said the addition of a blue card would damage the traditions of the game. He said:
<blockquote>
We have to be serious. We are always open to looking at ideas and proposals. But once you look at it you also have to protect the essence and tradition of the game. There is no blue card.
</blockquote>
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FIFA Completely Opposed To Blue Cards - Infantino

FIFA has refuted reports that a blue card is to be introduced in professional football as part of sin bin trials to be announced this Friday.
A sin bin is an area off the field of play where a player who has committed a foul can be sent to sit for a specified period.
In a statement issued this Friday, FIFA said reports about the introduction of a blue card at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature, adding that the issue will be discussed at the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on 02 March. FIFA said:
<blockquote>
FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called “blue card” at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.
Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 2 March.
</blockquote>
This comes after English outlet, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/02/08/blue-cards-to-be-introduced-for-football-sin-bins/">The Telegraph</a>, reported that football lawmakers International Football Association Board (IFAB) will announce the revolutionary rule change on Friday, although it won’t be implemented at the top level straight away.
However, the publication also reported that elite trials could still begin as soon as next season.
The introduction of the blue card will be the first major disciplinary change since the introduction of the yellow and red cards at the 1970 World Cup.
The blue card is envisaged to limit fouls that prevent a promising attack or counterattacks with shirt pulls or other deliberate fouls plus dissent.
A player will be shown a red card if he/she receives two blue cards during a match or a combination of yellow and blue.
According to the report, players will be removed from the field for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards a match official.
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