‘Sin bins’ and wider use of technology on law-makers’ agenda
ZURICH: A wide-ranging discussion on the potential of ‘sin bins’ and even extended use of video will be kicked off at the annual meeting of the law-making International Football Association Board.
The 128th agm takes place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Saturday, March 1, and will follow up on the administrative changes which bring IFAB under the FIFA banner within Swiss law.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has talked around the possible implementation of ‘sin bins’ while presidential candidate Jerome Champagne is an advocate of the extension of technological assistance.
A FIFA statement said: “Key elements of this revised structure, including the composition of the two new advisory boards, will be part of the deliberations.
“In terms of the Laws of the Game, The IFAB will discuss proposals to alter Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment. Firstly in terms of the use of head covers, as the two-year trial period unanimously approved by The IFAB in 2012 is set to conclude, and secondly in relation to slogans or advertising on undergarments.
“The IFAB will review a proposed amendment to allow for greater flexibility in the use of substitutions in amateur/recreational football and also look at Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play: dropped ball, Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct: handling the ball, plus the use of electronic performance and tracking systems.”
“Items for discussion but not decision include ‘sin bins’ in recreational football, sending-off offences (‘triple punishment’) and the potential use of video replays to support match officials.”
If further debate is considered valuable, issues can be submitted to the two new advisory panels – a technical panel and a football panel.
IFAB comprises a representative of each of the four British associations while the four FIFA votes are traditionally wielded by Blatter – to the previously expressed concern of Michel Platini, the UEFA president.
Platini is an avowed opponent of technological innovation in football. He warned, on the introduction of goal-line technology, that the decision would open the door to pressure for extension of its application.
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