Blue cards will create 'more debate', says Pochettino

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino spoke out against blue cards, which will see players who commit tactical fouls or protest referee decisions sent off for 10 minutes, saying they are "not a good idea" and will only cause "more confusion".

This new protocol will restrict blue cards to fouls that cut off "promising attacks" or protests by players. In addition, a player will be sent off if he receives two blue cards, or one blue and one yellow.

"Difficult to express how I feel about the blue card. Difficult to explain. At the moment, we don't have much information about that," Pochettino told reporters on Friday.

"That is going to create more debate. It is going to be more complicated. At the moment, my feeling now is it is not a good idea but we will see what happens."

This measure will mean that, for the first time since the 1970 World Cup when the red and yellow cards were introduced, a new disciplinary card will be introduced.

 

February 9, 2024