The FA has today announced that temporary dismissals, also known as sin bins, will be introduced across all levels of grassroots football in Wiltshire from the start of the 2019/20 season.

The mandatory rule change will be implemented up to Step 5 of the National League System and Tier 3 and below in women's football. Sin bins of 10 minutes will be issued by referees as a sanction for dissent in adult football, and will apply to all levels of grassroots football. Shorter sin bins will apply across youth football.

The FA successfully piloted sin bins during the 2017/18 season, and then extended this to a total of 31 leagues throughout the 2018/19 season as part of its commitment to improve the match day experience for all. After gathering positive feedback from players, referees and coaches, sin bins will now be rolled out across all leagues at grassroots level in a bid to increase participation and to continue improving match day experiences.

Mark Bullingham, The FA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: "The introduction of sin bins is a positive step for grassroots football. They allow referees to address incidents of dissent quickly and effectively.

"Dissent is a key part of the game that needs to be tackled, and our pilot phase has proved that sin bins work well.  The trial showed a huge impact on behaviour that we want to roll out to the whole game and make it more enjoyable for everyone."

Adam Greaney, Football Service Manager at Wiltshire FA said “We want football to be an enjoyable, inclusive and positive experience for everyone. This amendment to the dissent caution allows us to continue to improve grassroots football with Sin Bins expected to significantly reduce the amount of dissent in a game.  Sin bins give referees the opportunity to talk to players and players the opportunity to consider how their behaviour impacts their team mates.” 

Results during the trial period showed a 38% total reduction in dissent across all participating leagues. Meanwhile, 72% of players, 77% of managers and coaches, and 84% of referees said they wanted to continue with sin bins after the trial period.

Sin bins will be indicated by the referee showing a yellow card and clearly pointing to the touchline. This will result in a temporary dismissal from the pitch during which time the player is not allowed to be substituted or involved in the game in any way.

Unlike cautions, which will continue to be issued for unsporting behaviour and other offences, players will not be required to pay the £10 administration fee for a single temporary dismissal. A second temporary dismissal in a match will result in an exclusion from the game.

County FAs will offer training to referees while all participating club secretaries and players will receive a guide. Meanwhile, The FA has also launched an online portal for players, club officials and match officials designed to educate participants on the sin bins process ahead of the new season.

More information about Sin Bins

“I was absolutely delighted to hear temporary dismissals were being introduced into the game as anything that can help to improve the atmosphere around grassroots football is a positive for me. From a coach’s perspective, referees have a near on impossible task keeping everyone happy so an initiative that helps to cuts down on the abuse they suffer is a good thing.”

“I’d definitely say that I felt a positive impact and found that the atmosphere of the vast majority of games was improved. My own team had a few players that liked to back chat to the referee, but it allowed me to instruct them that if they were sin binned then after the 10 minutes were up, I would substitute them for the remainder of the game. As a result, we did not have a single yellow card for dissent during the season – and that’s what I think the best thing about it is, it allows the player to make their own decisions.”

Benjamin Costello, 36
Manager - Easingwold Town AFC U19s [York & District County League], Yorkshire 

Download the Sin Bin infographic (PDF)