Soccer fans around the world soon may see referees wielding a new “blue card” to try to keep games flowing.
The International Football Association Board, which makes the game’s rules, is expected Friday to release details of the new card, which would be given to punish players for dissent or cynical fouls. The punishment would be to send the player to the sidelines for 10 minutes. Two blue cards, or one blue and one yellow, would be the equivalent of a red card.
MLS hasn’t yet said if it will be one of the leagues to allow the new cards, which wouldn’t go into place until next year.
There are many questions whose answers weren’t included in any of the reporting Thursday about the new disciplinary device.
What happens if the blue card is shown with less than 10 minutes remaining in a match? Would the suspension carry over to the next match?
What if the goalkeeper is accused? Would a teammate be sent off instead? If so, who would pick the teammate?
Why not just continue to use yellow cards in cases of dissent?
Are blue cards reviewable by the video assistant referee?
Can a player who is serving a 10-minute suspension be subbed off, with the new player returning once the disciplinary period ends?
How many players can receive a blue card and serve a suspension at the same time?
This proposal needs a blue card.
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 at Columbus, 2 p.m.
March 9 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.
March 17 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m., FS1
March 23 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
March 31 vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m., Fox
April 6 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
April 14 vs. Philadelphia, 2:30 p.m., Fox
April 20 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
May 4 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
May 11 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
May 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
May 18 at Nashville, 1:30 p.m.
May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.
May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., Fox
June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.
June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.
July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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