League: "sin bins" possible but NO to goal-line technology

The Football League is to consider adopting an ice hockey-style 'sin bin' in a radical proposal to change the game.

The League wants to canvass fans to find out whether they would be behind 'sin bin' and 'goal-line technology' rulings being brought into football.

Sunderland is just one of 72 clubs which has been approached by the Football League.

And if backed by supporters, the League will take the pioneering ideas to the International Football Association Board with the hope testing them prior to any law change.

'Sin bins' - or temporary suspensions - are already successfully used in a number of sports - including Rugby League (since 1983), Rugby Union (since 2000) and ice hockey.

The basic rule is that a cautioned player serves an immediate ban by way of a temporary suspension while the match continues.

This gives the opposing team an extra man advantage - known as a 'power play' in ice hockey.

With the addition of the 'goal-line technology', the League hopes to banish the 'Russian linesman' scenario, so-called after Geoff Hurst's controversial goal against Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, which was given after the referee consulted his linesman, putting England on their way to extra-time victory.

This rule, however, would be harder to govern - especially in grassroots football.

The League proposes several options of the sin bin rule:

* caution = yellow card and sin bin. A further caution = red card.

* caution = yellow card and sin bin. Further cautions = additional yellow cards and sin bins. Red card used only as ultimate sanction.

*Caution = yellow card. Second caution = sin bin. Third caution = red card.

Potential benefits are that the punishment would come in the same match, therefore immediately correcting the imbalance. And the ‘power play’ could add to fan excitement. It would also reduce the amount of disciplinary administration.

The major obstacle with both proposals is the feasibility of them at grassroots level.

Whereas ‘sin bins’ may be possible in amateur football, ‘goal-line technology’ is probably never going to be applicable

The League, together with the Football Association and the Premier League, some time ago became involved in discussions with a company called Sports Control Systems regarding the development of the goal-line system.

But at the time the IFAB stated that no equipment could be attached to the goalposts, therefore restricting the technology and it failed to meet the requirements of the governing body – something that would have to be overcome.

Another problem is that the IFAB might be uncomfortable with the use of any technology interfering with the judgement of the referee.

If supporters advocate the ideas, the League will approach the IFAB with the aspiration of testing both concepts in League football and with the assumption that the authorities will be willing to sponsor the development costs.

E-mail webmaster@safc.com to submit your views and they will pass them on to the Football League.