Sin Bins

Sin bins: encouraging respect and fair play

From the 2019-20 season, temporary dismissals also known as ‘sin bins’ were introduced across all levels of grassroots football to improve levels of respect and fair play in the game. Any player committing dissent will now find themselves given a 10-minute temporary dismissal from the pitch.

Sin bins will apply to all levels of grassroots football

This positive rule change has been implemented up to Step 5 of the National League System and Tier 3 and below in women’s football. 10-minute sin bin dismissals are issued at the discretion of referees as punishment for dissent, and apply to all levels of grassroots football, including youth, veterans and disability.

To download a handy infographic explaining sin bins and sin bin rules, click here.

27 Aug 2021 0min 38secs

Interactive Sin Bin video

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Sin bin guide

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WHY AND WHAT ARE SIN BINS?

In March 2017, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) gave all National Associations the ability to implement Temporary Dismissals – more commonly known as sin bins – at the grassroots level of the game. We chose to focus on matters of dissent to improve the match day experience and in support of the Respect programme.

In 2016/17 season there were over 73,000 cautions for dissent – making up around 25% of all cautions. With this in mind, we decided to pilot sin bins across all types of the game at Step 5 and below of the National League System and Tier 3 and below of the Women’s game in a bid to reduce levels of dissent. In total, 31 leagues have used the system over the past two seasons.

During this period, we saw a 38% reduction in dissent across the selected leagues. It also showed a reduction on dismissals for receiving a second caution in a game and abusive language. A survey carried out to obtain feedback from around 1,400 users showed that:

72% of players wanted to continue with sin bins

77% of managers/coaches wanted to continue with sin bins

84% of referees wanted to continue with sin bins

The pilot has shown that participant behaviour/match day experience has improved. It also showed players self-policing the game to prevent their colleagues from getting into trouble.

TIMINGS

The referee will monitor these issues simultaneously. Our research of over 135,000 matches showed that less than 1% of matches have more than three cautions for dissent. The chances of those occurring in the same 10-minute period are remote. However, by following the correct caution procedure, the referee can manage multiple players in the sin bin.

CARDS

PLAYERS RE-ENTERING AND LEAVING THE FIELD OF PLAY

Discipline AND FINES

Yes, goalkeepers are covered under the same law as other players and can go into the sin bin. Much like when a goalkeeper is sent off, any other player must go in goal but the team must remain with 10 players. Upon returning, if during play, the goalkeeper can become an outfield player, and then return to being the goalkeeper during the next stoppage in play.

Players will not be required to pay the administration fee for going into the sin bin as the punishment has already been served during the match for a single sin bin offence. Administration fees will still apply to all other cautions and send offs.

We want to encourage better behaviour to improve the match day experience for everybody involved. This isn’t a financial matter and England Football continues to work with CFAs to ensure they have the resources necessary to support their clubs. Repeat offenders will also be fined £25 as well as a one match ban.

Sin Bins - Cautions and Sanctions

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Interactive Sin Bin video

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Why have we introduced sin bins?

Has it been trialled? Was it a success?

Are there plans to introduce sin bins to the professional game?

For what offences can I be sent to the sin bin for?

What is dissent?

How long are you sin binned for and how is it timed?

How do the timings work if multiple players are in the sin bin?

Does a sin binned player still get shown a card?

If a substitute, substituted player or coach/manager commits an act of dissent, what happens?

Where do sin binned players have to go?

How many players can be sin binned at once?

Can a sin binned player leave the sin bin area?

What happens if the player commits an offence while sin binned?

How and when does a player re-enter the field of play?

Can you be sin binned multiple times per match?

What happens if the goalkeeper commits an act of dissent?

Can I substitute a sin binned player while they are in the sin bin?

Does the sin bin yellow card count towards a player's season tally?

Does the player still have to pay the yellow card fine for being sin binned?

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