Jurgen Klopp calls out IFAB with brutal message after plans to introduce blue cards emerge

Jurgen Klopp didn't hold back when asked about IFAB's plan to trial sin-bins and issue blue cards.

Football's lawmakers IFAB (International Football Association Board) are to trail sin-binning players and blue cards.

Sin-bins have been used at grassroots level for dissent, but their use could be extended to cynical fouls.

A player would be removed from the field of play for 10 minutes after being given a blue card.

Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil made a prediction over the innovation while FIFA released a blunt statement in wake of the news.

The blue card idea hasn't gone down well with Liverpool boss Klopp, who took aim at IFAB during his pre-match press conference.

“If they want to test it, I have no problem," he explained. "Doesn’t sound like a fantastic idea in the first moment. But actually I can’t remember when the last fantastic idea came from these guys. If they ever had one."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola added: "I have no comments on potential introduction of blue cards.

"Maybe I have an opinion if and when they are introduced."

Jorginho and Anthony Taylor speak during Arsenal vs. Liverpool. Image: Getty

Tottenham gaffer Ange Postecoglou also slammed the proposal, saying: "Just bin the whole idea, forget about it. I don’t know why they keep interjecting themselves into the game."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared his thoughts, too, He said: "I don’t know if we are ready for that yet."

IFAB chief Mark Bullingham, however, has defended the new card, referencing the success of sin-bins at grassroots level.

Speaking in December, he said: "The success of sin-bins in the grassroots game has been prevention, rather than cure.

"You get to a point where players know the threat of sin-bins, so don’t transgress. And we would hope that it would make the same change [higher up the game]."

Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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