Ten-minute sin bins introduced to grassroots football
FA to roll out rule change across all leagues up to Step 5 of National League System; Referees can dismiss a player from the pitch for 10 minutes
Tuesday 30 July 2019 10:05, UK
Sin bins will be introduced across all levels of grassroots football in the 2019/20 season, the FA have confirmed.
The rule change allows referees to dismiss a player from the pitch for 10 minutes, with the FA saying they saw a 38 per cent reduction in dissent following a testing phase.
"The FA successfully piloted sin bins during the 2017/18 season, and then extended this to a total of 31 leagues throughout the 2018/19 season as part of its commitment to improve the matchday experience for all," the FA said in a statement.
"After gathering positive feedback from players, referees and coaches, sin bins will now be rolled out across all leagues at grassroots level in a bid to increase participation and to continue improving matchday experiences.
"The mandatory rule change will be implemented up to Step 5 of the National League System and Tier 3 and below in women's football."
Players who show dissent will be shown a yellow card while the referee points to the touchline to indicate a player has been sent to the sin bin. Two such temporary dismissals will result in the player being sent off.
Dissent offences are classed as words or gestures that question or undermine the referee, as well as throwing or kicking the ball in anger or sarcastically clapping a decision.
Foul and abusive language still represents a red card offence.
For youth football, or games under 90 minutes, the sin bin will be eight minutes.
"Dissent is a key part of the game that needs to be tackled, and our pilot phase has proved that sin bins work well," FA CEO Mark Bullingham said.
"They allow referees to address incidents of dissent quickly and effectively. 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."
