Sin Bin / Temporary Dismissal

Sin-bins will become mandatory in the Derwent Valley Junior Football League from the start of the 24/25 season. The move will aim to reduce and put a stop to dissent received by referees on a regular basis.

This change will have a direct impact on referees, players, clubs & leagues throughout and the following information will allow you to understand the process of Sin Bins and how they will operate on a match day.

HISTORY & AUTHORITY

IFAB are responsible for the Laws of the Game which govern all formats of football worldwide and as such, national Football Associations are responsible for ensuring that these are correctly implemented. In March 2017, IFAB approved for national associations to have the discretion to use Sin Bins for either all cautions or selected cautions.

The FA opted to conduct a pilot on the use of Sin Bins for Dissent offences only in order to support the RESPECT programme. In addition, during the 2016/17 season, there were 73,500 cautions for dissent nationwide (25% of all cautions) and the aim of the use of Sin Bins is to decrease dissent and improve the match-day experience for all participant.

PILOT & RESULTS

Temporary Dismissals were first trialled across 31 leagues in the country during the 2017/18 season and following a survey, the results are as follows:-

- 38% reduction in dissent offences across all leagues
- 72% of players wanted to continue with Sin Bins
- 77% of managers/coaches wanted to continue with Sin Bins
- 84% of referees wanted to continue with Sin Bins

Following the results of the survey it was determined that the trial would continue with an additional 61 leagues for the 2018/19 season before coming mandatory for all leagues at Step 7 and below for the 2019/20 season.

MATCHDAY PROCESS

In order to ensure that you have a full understanding as to how the Sin Bin process will be implemented during a game, please refer to the below information:-

WHO?

• Applies only to active players only (those on the field of play)
• Does not apply to substitutes and coaching staff

HOW? 

• The referee will take the name of the offending player
• A yellow card will be issued and shown
• Referee to point to the touchline where the player must go (there will be no specific Sin Bin area)

TIME?

• Sin Bin to last for 8 minutes
• The Sin Bin period only commences when the referee restarts play
• Referee will include any lost time (i.e. injury delay)
• Referee is the sole arbitrator of time and as to when the player can return (permission can be given when the ball is in play)

OFFENDING PLAYER?

• Cannot be substituted until the Sin Bin period has expired
• Can take part in a penalty shootout – even if the Sin Bin period has not expired (i.e. end of extra time)
• Must be in the Sin Bin for active playing time (i.e. Sin Bin to continue into second half if required)
• Defined as being in the Sin Bin from the moment they are cautioned for dissent (even if play has not yet restarted)
• Any player who has been temporarily dismissed and commits a further yellow or red card offence whilst in the Sin Bin cannot take any further part in the game and cannot be substituted