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FIFA considers new yellow card amnesty system for expanded World Cup
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
FIFA is exploring a change to its disciplinary rules for the expanded World Cup, aiming to reduce player suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards. The proposal, reported by BBC Sport, would introduce two amnesty points: one after the group stage and another after the quarter-finals, clearing all prior yellow cards. Currently, players are suspended after two yellow cards across matches. With the World Cup expanding from 32 to 48 teams, increasing the number of matches before the semi-finals, FIFA believes the current system heightens the risk of players missing crucial games for minor offenses. Instead of raising the suspension threshold to three yellow cards, FIFA officials favor the two cut-off points as a fairer solution. This adjustment aims to maintain discipline while ensuring major matches are less affected by the absence of key players due to cautions. The FIFA Council is expected to discuss and potentially decide on this rule change at an upcoming meeting.
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Must ReadSix individuals have been sentenced to life imprisonment in Ivory Coast for their involvement in a 2020 jihadist attack that resulted in the deaths of 14 soldiers at a border post. The attack occurred overnight on June 10-11, 2020, in the northeastern village of Kafolo. Of the 45 defendants on trial, 17 received 20-year jail terms and were fined 50 million CFA francs. One person was sentenced to five years, and 21 were acquitted. While no group claimed responsibility, the attack was attributed to jihadists operating from across the border in Burkina Faso, believed to be in retaliation for a joint Ivorian and Burkinabe operation against extremists in the region. Ivory Coast shares its northern border with Burkina Faso and Mali, both of which have experienced widespread Islamist extremist attacks that have extended south towards coastal nations. In a separate incident, three Ivorian soldiers were killed in March 2021 during an attack on two army positions near the Burkina Faso border, including in Kafolo. Additionally, 19 people died in an attack on the seaside town of Grand-Bassam in March 2016.
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Manchester City is in discussions with the Premier League to reschedule two matches due to their FA Cup Final involvement, which has created a scheduling conflict during a crucial part of the season. The away game against AFC Bournemouth, originally set for May 17, is expected to be moved as the cup final is on that day. The home fixture against Crystal Palace, previously postponed from March, still needs a confirmed date. One proposal suggests Crystal Palace visit the Etihad Stadium on May 13, followed by the Bournemouth trip on May 19, potentially leading to three matches in seven days around the FA Cup final. City is also exploring other arrangements, such as playing Bournemouth on May 12 and Crystal Palace on May 19, which would provide more recovery time before the cup final and ensure both final league games are at home. However, UEFA competition scheduling constraints limit flexibility. Arsenal is closely monitoring the situation, as any advantage in rest or fixture timing could be crucial in the tight Premier League title race with City. An official confirmation from the Premier League is anticipated soon as discussions continue to balance competitive fairness with scheduling demands.