Nov 17, 2014 10:36:00 The iconic former Manchester United manager wants to determine whether or not football could follow rugby by introducing timed suspensions in the Champions League Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson says that he is looking into the feasibility of introducing ‘sin-bins’ into football. Already implemented in rugby, the practice would see players sent off for a set period of time for certain offences before being allowed back onto the pitch. Ferguson, now heading a Uefa panel of elite coaches, is keen on the idea but wants to be certain that it would work. He told reporters: I chair a forum of elite coaches that meet every year and Im a member of the technical study group of the Champions League and the European Championship so Im still involved in football at the highest level. Right now were looking at the possibility of introducing sin-bins like they have in rugby - a 10-minute suspension during the match - but we want to be careful that somehow it isnt exploited if its introduced. Ferguson welcomed Uefas decision to wipe out yellow cards accumulated in the Champions League when the competition reaches the quarter-final stage to avoid players missing the final through suspension. We lost Darren Fletcher from the 2009 Champions League final against Barcelona and also missed Keane and Scholes for picking up cards in the 1999 final against Bayern Munich, he recalled. Now, theyd all played in all the previous rounds so it wasnt fair that they missed out. Were also looking at allowing 11 substitutes on the bench for big finals in Europe. That way you can recognise the contribution the squads made and allow a wider range of substitutions. Mind you, it wouldnt work in the Premier League. Too many chairmen would moan about the increase in bonuses theyd need to pay!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:26:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015