Sin bins and cameras

Last updated : 23 June 2004 By Tony Scholes

Former Premiership referee Stephen Lodge sends Robert Fleck to the sin bin during the masters. But would it work in the League?
It is unlikely that FIFA would allow this to happen in League matches but there is a possibility that either or both could be trialled in a competition such as the LDV Vans Trophy.

Burnley Chairman Barry Kilby was in favour of both and voted that way at the League’s Annual Meeting but we asked you for your opinions.

You though the use of cameras was a much better idea than the introduction of a sin bin and 64% of you were in favour of making use of technology to assist the referee on decisions such as the ball crossing the line. Even so that still left 36% who were not in favour.

As for the sin bin idea, you said no to it with less than 37% thinking it was a good idea. As much as we don’t want to see games unnecessarily spoiled with red cards the fact is that it was thought that with the soft option of a sin bin the referees would use it rather than the red card for the more serious offences.

It has worked in other sports – rugby and ice hockey to name two – but it is not something that you would want to see introduced into football.

I wonder how many clubs bothered to consult with their supporters on these issues before casting their votes?