Put sin-bin idea….in the bin! That’s one North Wales football campaigner’s view
Clubs in a North Wales football league are being urged to protest against FAW plans to introduce “sin-bins” to their matches.
In May, the national body revealed its intention to trial temporary dismissals in six senior football grassroots leagues this season in a move to reduce instances of dissent and abuse towards match officials.
The tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division and North East Wales Reserve League are the two northern test pilots chosen for the ‘dummy run’,
During the trial, on-field players will be shown a blue card for dissent and must leave the pitch for a 10-minute period.
Sanctions for all offences other than dissent by on-field players will remain unchanged.
North Wales Coast FA councillor Chris O’Neal of Bangor is less than impressed with the plan.
He is writing to the FAW Board voicing his disapproval in the strongest possible terms.
Addressing NWCFA East League tier 4 clubs, Mr O’Neal writes: “Ladies and gents, you may have received correspondence from the league that the FAW are ploughing ahead with this and your league will implement the trial.
“I am currently compiling a letter to the FAW Board to further express my disappointment that they are trying this at this level which in my opinion will be unmanageable by the officials and will lead to nothing but problem after problem.
“Whilst the FAW may have to take part of this trial under UEFA/FIFA instruction, then why not do it at tier 2 where you have a minimum of three officials.
“Without being disrespectful the Premier Division of the East league quite often struggle to get referees and the referees officer does a grand job in trying to fix this, but these added pressures are not going to help him.
“Now, can you imagine a late appointed referee turning up for example to a Premier Division fixture on his own having to manage the game, the substitutions, dugouts, and now the sin bin? It’s not going to happen effectively.“
Mr O’Neal added: “This is not a well thought out process. FAW officials – if you are about supporting grassroots football like you harp on you are then I urge you to reconsider trying to force this on the clubs. Failing this. I will ask the clubs to form an official protest on the matter.
“Clubs – now is your time to show your disappointment to this matter that is forced upon you.
Sin Bin – Unmanageable
Cost – Even more cost
Support – Absolutely none!”
The decision to implement the Temporary Dismissals trial was approved by the Football Association of Wales’ Community Game Board following consultation with representatives of the six Welsh Area Associations and discussion with the English Football Association where the system has been in place for several seasons at grassroots level.
The leagues, clubs, coaches, players and referees involved in the trial will receive training on Temporary Dismissals before the start of the 2023/2024 Season.
The leagues chosen for the trial are:
Central Wales Football League
Gwent Premier League
North Wales Coast East Premier Division
North East Wales Reserve League
Highadmit Projects South Wales Alliance League
Macron West Wales Premier League
The FAW will monitor the impact of Temporary Dismissals on instances of dissent and abuse towards match officials throughout the season to determine whether the policy should be rolled out across all grassroots football in Wales.