by TheOstrich » 11 Feb 2024, 17:55
When the 10 minute sin-bin concept for dissent was first trialled in various leagues back in 2017/18, the Dorset Premier League was one of the chosen few. From memory, I think 7 leagues in England were involved.
It was always understood that the signal for a sin-binning was going to be a blue card, but this was changed (presumably by the FA) at the last moment to a yellow card. I was present at one of the first games where a sin-bin was implimented; my game notes tell me this was on 17th August 2017 at Sherborne Town Reserves v Sturminster Newton, when the Sherborne no.6 got carded after 40m when a defensive mix-up was gleefully rocketed home by Stur's dentre-forward, and he had venting his feelings at the referee.
Everone in the crowd around me was confused by the yellow card and the Sherborne defender marching off the pitch seemingly after a single yellow. It was only clarified at half-time what had actually occured. We were surprised it hadn't been a blue card. The scuttlebutt at the time was that Dorset Referees Association were still awaiting delivery of them.
Crommers, personally, I would welcome a blue card. The use of a yellow leads to too much confusion for players and spectators.
There is some anecdotal evidence that the sin-bin system works. Players have modified their behavior, there is less back-chat, and there have been less sin-binnings issued this season than in previous years, although having said that, I have seen a couple of straight sendings off for more violent verbal abuse this season.