World football governing body, FIFA has rebuffed claims suggesting the introduction of a blue card in elite football tournaments.
In an official statement on Thursday, FIFA clarified that any assertions regarding the blue card’s implementation at the highest echelons of the sport are premature and inaccurate.
Emphasizing their stance, FIFA underscored that while they might contemplate trying the blue card in the future, such trials would be confined to lower levels of play and would necessitate thorough evaluation and deliberation.
The statement from FIFA emphasized, “Reports circulating regarding the proposed ‘blue card’ in elite football are both premature and inaccurate. Should any trials occur, they will be conducted responsibly at lower levels, a standpoint FIFA plans to reaffirm during the discussion of this agenda item at the IFAB AGM on March 2.”
This denial comes in response to speculations indicating that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) had greenlit the blue card’s usage, with intentions to roll it out in grassroots competitions commencing next summer.
Furthermore, reports suggested that the Football Association (FA) had volunteered to integrate the blue card into both the Men’s and Women’s FA Cup competitions in the upcoming season.
However, FIFA has unequivocally dismissed these speculations, affirming that there are no current plans to introduce the blue card in top-tier football.
