Blue Card In Soccer | What It Means And How Is It Supposed To Be Dealt With

Soccer fans have been curious about the blue card for some time now as they don’t get to see much of it in conventional outdoor soccer games. Fans are mostly familiar with red and yellow cards whereas the blue ones come as no less than a mystery for them. 

If you are also one of those curious about what a blue card in soccer means, you have come to the right place. So, without any more delay let’s dive right into the topic.

All You Must Know About The Blue Card In Soccer

Most of you would be aware of a yellow and a red card but if you are a new fan of the game it might be possible that you do not know what a blue card is. But don’t worry as this article would be a complete guide toward all that you need to know. A blue card doesn’t rank very high in the hierarchy (One level above the yellow card) but that doesn’t compromise its value in the game. It can be issued by a referee when a player commits a minor offense; a foul. 

What Is a Foul?

A foul is a breach of code or an infringement by a player which would be punished by the referee according to the severity of the misconduct. However, there are a few conditions that have to be met for an act of misconduct to be classified as a foul:

• The infringement should’ve been made by a player, not a substitute.
• The act must have taken place on the field.
• The ball must be in play for it to be considered a foul.

When Is A Blue Card Issued?

Just like a foul will only be considered when the prior mentioned conditions are met, a blue card will also be issued in case of serious misconduct by the player. These conditions include:

• If a player spits on the turf
• If a player keeps on committing consistent infringements
• Display of bad conduct by actions or words.
• Encroachment
• Illegal substitutions or unnecessary extra players on the field
• House safety rules violation, for instance, leaving trash on the field of any kind. 
• Other minor offenses that the referee might consider suitable for a blue card.

Also Read: What is Relegation In Soccer

What Happens If A Blue Card Is Issued?

If a blue card is issued then the player will not be allowed to play on the main field but will be restricted inside the penalty box for 2 minutes. Different leagues imply different rules; sometimes the player might be restricted to an area called a “sin-bin” which will be assigned near the place where the offense took place.

The player will have to sit in the assigned area until either the time has passed or a goal has been scored against their team. This provides a power play advantage to the opposing team as the offender’s team is playing one player short.

Once the two minutes have passed, the player will be allowed to play on the field and a yellow card will be shown to indicate a mere warning. However, if the player’s behavior was not satisfactory for the referee or if they committed another foul, the two-minute timer can be doubled.

In such cases, the player might receive two blue cards which can be concerning as further serious action can be taken by the officials against the player. 

Ways To Avoid A Blue Card 

Although the blue card does not exist in outdoor soccer, it holds significant value in indoor soccer. However, if you play smart you can avoid getting a blue card in soccer. Now it is true that you might have to take some risks to gain an advantage against the opposing team but if you play with intelligence, you will be able to avoid blue cards. 

Here are some tips that would help:

• Show respect to the referee and the players
• Do not litter the field or spit on it
• Show obedience to the referee
• If given a blue card, pass the two minutes peacefully to avoid getting another.

Difference Between Indoor And Outdoor Soccer

Indoor soccer is similar to outdoor soccer on the basic principles but varies on a few factors. 

1. As evident by the name it is played in a walled and covered field. 
2. Secondly, the indoor field is much shorter overall as compared to the outdoor field. Besides, the goals are also shorter in length and width.
3. Indoor soccer requires a team of 6 players rather than 11.
4. Indoor soccer is much faster with 2 halves of 30 minutes with a 5-minute break in between.
5. The turf is synthetic.

Rules In Soccer And Their Importance

If you are a fan of soccer or have recently started watching the games; it is very likely that you might find yourself in a tricky position when it comes to understanding the rules of the play. Soccer; just like all other sports comprises various rules and to enforce those rules, a referee is placed on the field who ensures fair play.

However, in a situation where a team or a certain individual of the team attempts to break the rules intentionally or unintentionally. Resultantly, the referee is liberated to pass judgment and punish the person responsibly.

These punishments vary depending on the nature of the misconduct. Certain colored cards are assigned to punishments to make it easy for the referee to execute his/her decision. Among these cards is a blue card which is mostly used in indoor soccer.

Takeaway

Rules are important in sports to ensure that the game is being played on equal terms and no team has an unfair advantage over the other. Besides, no team or individual should go unpunished if they fail to comply with the rules. We hope this information was useful and would’ve helped you better understand how a blue card in soccer works.

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