The black card looks set to be introduced to hurling.
There have been several changes proposed regarding the ‘sin-bin penalty’ rule. Supporters of such amendments suggest that players who deliberately prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity should receive a black card that will lead to a 10-minute removal from the match.
The rule was implemented on a trial basis in 2021 but was slightly different to the rules for football. Sin-binned players were shown a yellow card and had a penalty awarded against them, with one of the most high-profile examples coming in extra-time of the 2021 Leinster semi-final between Kilkenny and Wexford involving Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy.
The Standing Committee on Playing Rules successfully sought approval from Central Council to extend the rule for the next two years and motions will now go before Congress who will vote on whether it will be used at intercounty championship level for the foreseeable future.
The SCPR back up their case for using a black card by stating it was “merely to aid referees when indicating to both teams and patrons attending the game that the foul being punished is one of the three infractions listed in Temporary Rule 5.46.”
The SCPR want to define the area in which a player prevents a goalscoring opportunity as “(a) inside the 20-metre line, but as a ‘rule of thumb’ not within 25 metres infield of each sideline; or (b) within the semi-circular arc.”