SIN BIN RULES EXPLAINED

The Temporary Dismissals or Sin Bin rule has been re-introduced to grassroots football competitions across the state to reduce dissent and improve the match day experience for referees.

Sin Bin will apply to all grassroots competitions excluding 18’s, 20’s and First Grade NPL, NPLW, FQPL and the FFA Cup.

How do you find yourself in the Sin Bin?

The Temporary Dismissal or Sin Bin, as of the 2020 season, is a mandatory ruling for all matters of dissent directed at the referee.

Players will only be sent to the Sin Bin for dissent caution offences.

Referees can send players to the Sin Bin when the players uses words or gestures that question or undermine the referees decisions. Some examples can include:

Shouting at the referee
Questioning the referees ability
Slamming the ball into the ground
Sarcastically clapping a decision

Duration of a Sin Bin

A player will be sent to the Sin Bin for 10 minutes for matches greater than 60 minutes in duration.

For matches of 60 minutes or less, a player will be sent to the Sin Bin for 5 minutes.

What if the Sin Bin period does not expire before half-time, full-time or extra-time?

If the Sin Bin period does not expire before the end of the first-half, the remainder of the Sin Bin will continue to the second-half.
If the Sin Bin period does not expire before the end of the second-half, the remainder of the Sin Bin will continue into extra-time.
If the Sin Bin period does not expire before the end of extra-time, the player can still participate in penalties.

Match Day Process

On any given match day, the following process will be carried out by referees when officiating.

SIN BIN DECISION MATRIX

The following matrix outlines different match day situations in which a dissent yellow card can be issued and the outcome for each situation.

Each match day situation has been broken down and explained below to aid in understanding of the Sin Bin ruling.

All situations below are based on the timing of a senior football match of 90 minutes.

For matches of 60 minutes or less, players will serve 5 minutes in the sin bin.

Situation:

A player commits a dissent offence towards the referee.

Decision:

The referee will issue a dissent yellow card and the player will be sent to the technical area for a period of 10 minutes.
The player can return to the field of play or be substituted after serving their sin bin period.

Situation:

A player commits a dissent offence towards the referee and,
Later in the match, the same player commits a non-dissent yellow card offence.

Decision:

In the first instance, the referee will issue a dissent yellow card to the player resulting in the player being removed from the field of play for 10 minutes.
In the second instance, the referee will issue a non-dissent yellow card to the player.
The player can return to the field of play or be substituted after serving their sin bin period.

Situation:

A player commits a dissent offence towards the referee during a match.
Later in the match, the same player commits a second dissent offence towards the referee (and no other offences).

Decision:

In the first instance, the player will be removed from the field of play to serve the sin bin period.
After the second dissent caution, the player will return to the sin bin.
After serving their second sin bin period, the player cannot return to the field of play but can be substituted.

Situation:

A player commits a non-dissent yellow card offence.
The player then commits a dissent offence towards the referee during a match.
The player also commits a second dissent offence towards the referee.

Decision:

In the first instance of a dissent yellow card, the player will be removed from the field of play to serve the sin bin period.
As the player has committed a second dissent caution and has previously received a non-dissent yellow card, they cannot return to the field of play and cannot be substituted.

Situation:

The player commits a non-dissent yellow card offence.
Later in the match, the same player commits a dissent yellow card offence.
The player also commits a second non-dissent yellow card offence.

Decision:

Player is shown a yellow card for the non-dissent yellow card offence.
As the same player received a dissent yellow card, the player will be removed from the field of play to serve the sin bin period of 10 minutes.
The player then received a second non-dissent yellow card meaning the player will be shown a red card and will be sent off.

Sin Bin Resources

Still a little unsure about the Sin Bin ruling? Check out The FA’s guide for more information.