Yes. Under IFAB guidance, temporary dismissals, or sin bins, are an option for all or some cautionable offences in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football competitions, subject to approval by the relevant national FA, confederation or FIFA.
What a sin bin is and who it covers
A temporary dismissal means a player commits a cautionable offence and is immediately suspended from taking part in the next part of the match. It applies to all players, including goalkeepers.
It does not apply to cautionable offences by a substitute or a substituted player.
How the referee applies it
The referee shows a yellow card and then clearly points with both arms to the temporary dismissal area, which is usually the player's technical area. The period begins when play restarts after the player has left the field of play, not at the moment the yellow card is shown.
Once the period has been completed, the player can return from the touchline with the referee's permission when the ball is next out of play. The player cannot simply step back on as soon as the time is up.
How long it lasts and what happens if time runs over
The length is the same for all offences and should be 10-15% of the total playing time, for example 10 minutes in a 90-minute match and eight minutes in an 80-minute match.
If the period is not completed by half-time, the remaining time is served from the start of the second half, and the same applies at half-time in extra time. If it is not completed by the end of the second half and extra time is to be played, the remaining time is served from the start of extra time. A player who is still serving a temporary dismissal at the end of the match may take part in penalties, because temporary dismissals are not used during penalties.
If a temporarily dismissed player commits a cautionable or sending-off offence during the period, the player takes no further part in the match and may not be replaced or substituted.
The two sin-bin systems
Here are the two systems.
| System | Cautions that bring a temporary dismissal | A second caution in the same match |
|---|---|---|
| System A | All cautionable offences | A second temporary dismissal, then no further part in the match; the player may be replaced at the end of it if the team still has a substitute and, where substitution opportunities are limited, an opportunity left |
| System B | A predefined list of cautionable offences; all others are a yellow card only | Sent off |
System A uses temporary dismissals for every cautionable offence. System B uses them for a predefined list, while other cautions stay as a yellow card with no temporary dismissal.
FAQ
How long is a sin bin in football?
The recommended length is 10-15% of the total playing time, for example 10 minutes in a 90-minute match and eight minutes in an 80-minute match.
Can a sin-binned player be substituted?
Not straight away. The player can be substituted only after the temporary dismissal period has ended, and only if the team still has a permitted substitute and, where substitution opportunities are limited, a substitution opportunity left.
Can a player in the sin bin take part in a penalty shoot-out?
Yes. A player still serving the period at the end of the match may take part in penalties, because temporary dismissals are not used during penalties.
Do sin bins apply to substitutes?
No. Temporary dismissals apply to players, including goalkeepers, but not to cautionable offences by substitutes or substituted players.