David Edgar responds to introduction of new blue card law which may affect Rangers
David Edgar, host of the Heart & Hand Rangers podcast, has insisted referees still cannot apply their laws correctly after the introduction of a new blue card and sin-bin rule was announced.
As reported by the Telegraph [8 February], the International Football Association Board has signed off on a revolutionary move which would see players removed from play for ten minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards an official.
The new rule could be trialled in the English FA Cup from next season after the FA volunteered for testing, meaning it’s likely not far away from being introduced in Scotland.
Edgar took to X in reaction to the news as he shared: “Not really into this. They can’t apply the laws we already have correctly, adding a new one isn’t likely to help.”
Rangers could be affected by the blue card rule
If, as can be expected following trials in England which are set to be held next year, this law is implemented in Scotland, the question of course will be whether the referees will use it as it is meant to be used, or whether it will be exploited.
Too often we see referees let the power go to their heads and give out harsh yellow cards, and with dissent now set to warrant a blue card and ten-minute sin-bin, the ramifications of those outbursts could be all the more effective.
It may be good for the game in an attempt to eradicate poor treatment of match officials – something Rangers themselves have been criticised for already this season – but the potential for things to go wrong is far too clear as Edgar has pointed out.
Rangers have seen their fair share of refereeing controversy already this season, with the Willie Collum saga being massively overblown after a poor decision was made at Celtic Park, and while they were criticised for their outburst at the time, the standard of officiating in Scotland remains a talking point.
In other Rangers news, Chris Jack shared his verdict on a possible Bojan Miovski transfer.
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