Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp mocks IFAB for the blue cards proposal to make things unnecessarily complicated
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ridiculed IFAB for their blue cards and sin-bins proposal to crack down dissent towards referees. According to the proposed rule, brandishing blue cards would send players to the technical area for 10 minutes.
This season, referees gained the power to brandish yellow cards to players for talking back or making aggressive gestures. Furthermore, the players received a booking for kicking the ball or asking the referee to produce a card for opponents.
Liverpool players faced the brunt of the rules with Alexis Mac Allister receiving the first yellow card for the gesture. Trent Alexander-Arnold received a yellow card against Newcastle United after reacting to a cynical tackle which the referee ignored.
The Reds have suffered from poor refereeing decisions which has cost them several points this season. Liverpool lost two games in the Premier League out of which the one against Tottenham Hotspur had several poor decisions. VAR wrongfully ruled out a legitimate opening goal from Luis Diaz alongside two controversial red cards in that game.
Liverpool have also suffered from poor handball decisions in three separate draws against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. The Reds are currently at the top of the Premier League table but have no margin for error. While facing a daunting battle against Arsenal and Manchester City, losing critical points has annoyed people associated with the club.
Speaking at the press conference (h/t Independent), Klopp ridiculed the IFAB for bringing more laws to complicate things further. He said:
“These kind of things just make it more complicated. If they want to test it I have no problem with testing if that’s the first step to agreeing or it already being sure it will happen – I don’t know that. It doesn’t sound like a fantastic idea in the first moment but actually I can’t remember the last fantastic idea (which) came from these guys [IAFB], if they ever had one. I am 56 and, pah, never.”
Klopp on blue cards: “I’d keep things as simple as possible”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 9, 2024
“It doesn't sound like a fantastic idea at the moment… but I can't remember the last fantastic idea from these guys IFAB and I am 56!”. pic.twitter.com/9Qp6nxwGu8
Despite suffering from poor officiating, Klopp has maintained a balanced opinion while trying to highlight the tough job for referees. No one has a decisive understanding of the handball rules, creating unnecessary complications and confusion.
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Given the way officials have treated the team this season, most Liverpool fans staunchly oppose these new rules. Despite the new rules, players from other clubs have survived booking for goading referees, aggressive gestures and hounding for decisions. The level of inconsistency and continuous disciplinary action against Liverpool players have been a recurring theme this season.
