Revealed: Goalkeepers will NOT be exempt from blue card sin-bins as managers face huge dilemma

That could pose quite the dilemma to managers across the planet, with big decisions needing to be made between the sticks if regular shot-stoppers lose their cool. The protocols being discussed by lawmakers the International Football Association Board (Ifab) include the introduction of a third card that will lead to a 10-minute break for those seeing blue, rather than yellow or red.

Blue cards are being proposed in a bid to clamp down on dissent and cynical fouls, with it suggested that an enforced period of rest would help to convince those that are quick to shout down match officials that biting their tongue, or not sticking out a leg to trip up an opponent, is the best course of action.

According to The Telegraph, managers will be exempt from serving time in the sin-bin – but they can still be cautioned or sent to the stands. There are, however, no special provisions for goalkeepers. If a regular No.1 were to be shown a blue card, then their coach would need to make a quick call on whether to bring on a substitute keeper or trust an outfield player to provide cover for 10 minutes.

Any change in goal would be a permanent one, for the remainder of the game, and teams would be left with no choice but to go with an outfield player if they have already used up their full allocation of changes. The consequences of a keeper showing dissent are clearly more severe than those faced by their team-mates, but there is no word as yet regarding possible start dates for blue card trials – which will not be carried out at elite level in divisions such as the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga.