Jurgen Klopp slams blue card idea – and plan is already in doubt amid fierce backlash

Football’s lawmakers have reportedly delayed a planned announcement for a blue card to be trialled in football over a fierce backlash against the proposals.

The Telegraph reported on Thursday that the plan would be announced by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) on Friday, but the same outlet now says doubts have emerged amid criticism of the idea.

The original plan was for blue cards to be shown for cynical fouls or dissent, with those players brandished with one sent to a sin bin for 10 minutes.

‘Blue cards would just add confusion’

Plans were also for players to be sent off if they received two blue cards in a match, or a combination of a blue card and a yellow card.

The delay in announcing the trials could mean they are subject to revision.

Several Premier League managers were asked about the blue card proposals in their press conferences on Friday ahead of this weekend’s round of top-flight fixtures.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “I’m not a big fan to be honest, that’s what yellow cards are for. The system works but just needs to be refined. Blue cards would just add confusion so I’m against it.”

Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino said: “Difficult to express how I feel about the blue card. Difficult to explain, at the moment we don’t have much information about that. I don’t know, I think that will create more debate, be more complicated for the referees, players and fans.

“At the moment it’s not a good idea but we’ll see what happens after it has an opportunity to see how it works. My first feeling is that it is so complicated because there are so many question marks.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “It doesn’t sound like a fantastic idea in the first moment… but actually, I can’t remember when the last fantastic idea came from these guys – if they ever had one. Ifab… nope. I’m 56… nah.”