From the start of the 2019-20 season, Sin Bins are to be introduced across the grassroots football for cases of dissent.

Specifically, Sin Bins will be in operation from Step 5 (Thurlow Nunn Premier Division) and below of the male game, Tier 3 (FA Women’s National League) and below of the female game, all youth football and in all applicable County Cups.

Dissent, defined as a challenge to the authority of the official(s) through the use of language and/or action, has been specifically chosen in an attempt to improve the behaviour, atmosphere and experience for all involved in this level of the game. As a result of this immediate sanction being issued, the £10 administration fee usually associated with a yellow-card offence has been removed.

From July 1st 2019, all cases of Dissent during matches at the levels above, including pre-season friendlies, must be dealt with by using the Sin Bin process. For all 90 minute matches, the Sin Bin period will be 10 minutes. For all matches which last under 90 minutes, the Sin Bin period will be 8 minutes.

It is important to emphasise that using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures is not dissent and remains a red-card offence.

Matchday Process

Who

• Applies only to active players only (those on the field of play)
• Does not apply to substitutes and coaching staff

How 

• The referee will record the name of the offending player
• A yellow card will be issued
• The referee will point towards the touchline where the player will join their coaching team and substitutes (there is no specific Sin Bin area)

Time

• The Sin Bin period only commences when the referee restarts play
• The referee will include any lost time (i.e injury delay)
• The referee is the sole arbitrator of time and as to when the player can return (permission can be given when the ball is in play). In practice, this will work in a similar way to how a player is invited to return to the field of play following treatment of an injury

Offending Player

• Cannot be substituted until the Sin Bin period has expired
• Can take part in a penalty shootout – even if the Sin Bin period has not expired (i.e. end of extra time)
• Must be in the Sin Bin for active playing time (i.e. Sin Bin to continue into the second half or into extra-time if required)
• Defined as being in the Sin Bin from the moment they are cautioned for Dissent (even if play has not yet restarted)
• Any player who commits a further yellow or red card offence whilst in the Sin Bin will not be able to take any further part in the game and cannot be substituted

On-Field Sanctions

As of the 2019-20 season, all dissent cautions must be dealt with via the Sin Bin process whereas cautions for all other offences (unsporting behaviour, persistent infringement etc) remain unchanged. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned as per the guidelines below.

• Any player who commits a further yellow or red card offence whilst in the Sin Bin will not be able to take any further part in the game and cannot be substituted
• Any player who receives a non-dissent yellow card at any time on the field of play after serving an initial sin bin period can continue to play
• Any player who receives a Second dissent sanction after serving an initial Sin Bin period will receive a Second Sin Bin period. At the end of that period, the player can take no further part in the game, but can be substituted providing the team concerned has not used all of their permitted substitutes
• Any player who receives a Second dissent sanction and has already had a non-dissent caution will take no further part in the game and cannot be substituted

The below chart will be provided to all attendees at the training. A downloadable version is in the Related Documents section at the foot of the page.