Temporary Dismissals - 'Sin Bins' - Trial 2023/2024
What are Temporary Dimissals?
Temporary Dismissals, more commonly known as ‘Sin Bins’, were introduced to the Laws Of The Game by IFAB in 2017. A Temporary Dismissal is a caution sanction where a player is sent from the pitch for a set period of time.
During the FAW’s Temporary Dismissals trial in selected competitions, on-pitch players who show Dissent by Word or Action will be shown a Yellow Card and must leave the pitch for a ten-minute period.
Which Competitions are taking part in The Temporary Dismissals Trial?
Central Wales
MMP Central Wales Football League (North & South)
MMP Central Wales Football League Challenge Cup
Gwent County
Autocentre Gwent Premier League (All Divisions)
Gwent Premier League County Motors League Cup
North East Wales
North East Wales Football League Reserve Division
North East Wales Football League Reserve Cup
North Wales Coast
North Wales Coast East Football League Premier Division
North Wales Coast East Football League Cookson Cup
South Wales
Highadmit Projects South Wales Alliance League (All Divisions)
Highadmit Projects South Wales Alliance League W John Owen Cup
West Wales
Macron West Wales Premier League
Macron West Wales Premier League Cup
Temporary Dismissals will be in operation in the above competitions only. Temporary Dismissals will not be in operation in any other competitions.
Temporary Dismissals Webinar
The FAW has created a webinar to explain the Temporary Dismissals trial. The webinar includes information about the reasons for the trial, where the trial is taking place, and information regarding the technical operation of the Temporary Dismissals system.
Temporary Dismissals Sanctions Grid
Sanctions for Temporary Dismissals accumulate in a slightly different way than sanctions for other offences. The below graphic provides a handy guide to understanding how each dissent or non-dissent caution accumulates when temporary dismissals are in operation. You can also download this guide by using the download button below.
In-Person Temporary Dismissals Training for Referees
Frequently Asked Questions
Which offences result in a Temporary Dismissal?
The only offence which will result in a Temporary Dismissal is Dissent by an on-pitch player.
Who can be given a Temporary Dismissal?
Temporary Dismissals only apply to on-pitch players including outfield players and goalkeepers.
What if an unused substitute or a player who has already been substituted gives Dissent?
The player will be shown a Yellow Card for Dissent. This will not be a Temporary Dismissal as the Player is off the pitch at the time of the offence.
What if a Team Official such as a Manager or Coach gives Dissent?
The team official will be shown a Yellow Card for Dissent. This will not be a Temporary Dismissal as the Coach is off the pitch at the time of the offence.
How does a Referee signal for a Temporary Dismissal?
The Referee signals for a temporary dismissal by showing a Yellow Card and pointing to the technical area where the player must go.
How long is the Temporary Dismissal Period?
The time period of the Temporary Dismissal is a minimum of 10 minutes playing time.
Is there a ‘Sin Bin’ Area?
There is no designated ‘Sin Bin’ Area. It is recommended that the Temporarily Dismissed player wait in their own technical area. The referee has final decision as to where the Temporarily Dismissed player should wait.
At what point does a player become Temporarily Dismissed?
The moment a player has been told they have been Temporarily Dismissed following a show of Dissent, the player is technically Temporarily Dismissed.
When does a Temporary Dismissal time period start?
The time period starts when play restarts. The referee should include lost time through stoppages in the time period.
Can a player who has been Temporarily Dismissed be substituted?
A player who has been temporarily dismissed cannot be substituted until the period has elapsed. If the player’s team has no substitute opportunities remaining then the player cannot be substituted at all.
When can an outfield player who has been temporarily dismissed return to play?
The Referee has final decision on when a temporarily dismissed player can return to play. It does not need to be during a stoppage in play but the Referee will only allow the player to return away from the action.
When can a Goalkeeper who has been temporarily dismissed return to play?
A temporarily dismissed Goalkeeper can only return to play during a stoppage.
Does the Temporary Dismissal Timer continue through Half-Time?
The Temporary Dismissal Timer pauses at Half-Time. If a player is temporarily dismissed in the 40th minute and the Referee blows for half-time on minute 45, when the Referee starts the Second Half there will still be 5 minutes of time remaining before the Temporarily Dismissed player can return.
Does the Temporary Dismissal Timer continue through Extra-Time?
The Temporary Dismissal Timer pauses in between Full-Time and Extra-Time. If a player is temporarily dismissed in the 85th minute and the Referee blows for Full-Time on minute 90, when the Referee starts Extra-Time there will still be 5 minutes of time remaining before the Temporarily Dismissed player can return.
Can a Temporary Dismissed player take part in Kicks From The Penalty Mark?
If a match is drawn at the end of Full-Time or Extra-Time and goes to Kicks From The Penalty Mark to settle the outcome, a player who is Temporarily Dismissed can take part in the Kicks as long as they have not been permanently sent from the game.
What happens if a team goes down to less than 7 players as a result of a Temporary Dismissal?
The match will be abandoned in accordance with Law 3.
How can I keep track of the time of multiple Temporary Dismissals as a Referee?
If you Temporarily Dismiss a player in the 20th minute and another in the 22nd, the time that the first player was temporarily dismissed is the only time that you need to remember. The 30th minute is the time that the first player can return to play. You can then check your notebook to confirm the next player and the time they can return (the 32nd minute) and follow the same procedure.
What if there are significant injury stoppages during a Temporary Dismissal time period?
The Referee includes any lost time. If the Referee stops their watch during any player’s Temporary Dismissal period, the Referee will include any lost time before the player can return. This is not expected to be accurate to the second and the time a player can return is the sole decision of the Referee.
Can a Temporarily Dismissed player warm-up?
Yes, but the player must be properly attired and warm up in the same place as their team’s substitutes. A maximum of 3 players may warm-up at the same time.
Will Temporary Dismissals result in suspensions?
Temporary Dismissal cautions will accumulate towards a suspension but will do so separately from other types of caution.
5 Sin Bins = 1 Match Suspension
10 Sin Bins = 2 Match Suspension
15 Sin Bins = 3 Match Suspension
Will Temporary Dismissals be reported on COMET?
Yes, Referees will be able to report Temporary Dismissals separately to C2 Cautions on COMET.
Will Temporary Dismissals result in an admin charge?
Yes, each Temporary Dismissal will result in an admin charge a tthe same rate as any other type of caution.
What if a player who has already been temporarily dismissed once returns to play and then receives another Yellow Card for a non-dissent caution?
The player has already served their temporary dismissal for their dissent caution, returned to play and then received a separate caution for a non-dissent offence. The player can continue to play.
What if a player who has already been temporarily dismissed once returns to play and then commits a second Dissent offence?
The player will receive a second Yellow Card for Dissent and be sent from the pitch for another 10-minute temporary dismissal period. The player can take no further part in the game but they can be substituted after the 10-minute period has elapsed, provided their team still has a substitution opportunity remaining.
What if a player who has already been temporarily dismissed once returns to play, receives a Yellow Card for a non-dissent caution and then commits a Second Dissent offence?
The player will receive a third Yellow Card for Dissent and be sent from the pitch and take no further part in the game. This player cannot be substituted even after the 10-minute period has elapsed.
What if a player who has been told they are temporarily dismissed commits any further Yellow or Red Card offences during the temporary dismissal period?
A player who commits a Yellow or Red Card offence while still serving their temporary dismissal period will not be able to return to the game and cannot be substituted.