The FA has today announced that select trials of temporary dismissals – more commonly known as ‘sin bins’ – will continue during the 2018-19 season before becoming mandatory for all leagues at Step 7 and below from the 2019-20 season.
The scheme was originally conceived following a decision by the International Football Association Board [IFAB] that gave national associations the ability to implement temporary dismissals from 2017-18 at the grassroots level of the game.
While given discretion whether to use the scheme for all cautions or selected cautions, The FA chose to focus on matters of dissent (which amounted to 25 per cent of all cautions during the 2016-17 season), directly support the Respect programme, and aims to ensure that football – both on and off the pitch – is an enjoyable, inclusive and a positive experience ‘For All’.
Thirty-one leagues from across the country at Step 7 and below of the national league system and Tier 5 and below of the women’s pyramid took part and resulted in the following:
- 25 leagues showed an overall reduction in dissent
- 38 per cent reduction in dissent across all leagues
- 72 per cent of players wanted to continue with the scheme
- 77 per cent of managers and/or coaches wanted to continue with the scheme
- 84 per cent of referees wanted to continue with the scheme.
In 2018-19, all 31 leagues will continue to use temporary dismissals and will be joined by 61 other leagues across 16 counties that successfully applied to participate this coming season.
In addition, County FAs have been given the opportunity to use the scheme in relevant County Cups, including both male and female competitions.
From 2019-20, all leagues at Step 7 and below in the men’s game will adopt temporary dismissals, as well as Tier 5 and below of the women’s pyramid, which is the women’s regional league premier divisions.
Mark Ives, The FA’s head of judicial services, said: “I am delighted with the overall response towards last season’s trial of temporary dismissals.
“While the general fall in dissent across the leagues involved has been fantastic to see, it is the collective sentiment towards the scheme and desire to continue with it that have been particularly encouraging.
“I would like to thank all of the County FAs, leagues, clubs, referees, coaches and players involved for their collective commitment and enthusiasm towards improving the grassroots game and look forward to seeing the continued impact of temporary dismissals.”
