Almost the next experiment in football, the referees can also give orange cards
The International Football Association Board, which sets soccer’s rules, is preparing to take a step forward around the cards that referees can award. In fact, during the last meeting (ABM), the body gave the green light to the orange card testing phase for specific protests and violations.
Experimentation in professional competitions could start from next season in the Premier League. During the last ABM, the body decided to accept requests to experiment with some new measures aimed at improving the behavior of footballers towards match officials.
Among them, in fact, the most sensational new rule concerns the 10-minute suspension, with the orange card, which the match officials (referees) could wave at players guilty of dishonest behavior towards them.
Before this rule is introduced it will need to be tested, with experimentation starting next season. Only after the tests, the IFAB will decide on the relevant rule to include it in the regulations or not.
Another proposal considered is the one related to communications within the field. The captain of each team will, in fact, be identified as the only player who will be able to contact the match official to seek clarification regarding referee selections.
Another tool IFAB can use to protect referees is the body camera. Convincing experimentation, and therefore close to being included in the regulations, for the “live” communication of the referee, after watching an episode in VAR.
