Thousands of grassroots football teams and referees have attended various ‘Sin Bin’ Training sessions across Essex, with the new law amendment taking effect from the 2019/20 season in a bid to reduce the number of cautions shown for dissent.

Following a successful two-year pilot period, The FA have sanctioned the use of Temporary Dismissals (more commonly known as ‘Sin Bins’) for dissent offences in grassroots football. And there are only a few more opportunities to sign-up for the remaining sessions in Chelmsford, Stanway, and Aveley in early August.

Four leagues in Essex implemented Sin Bins for cautions shown for dissent in season 2018/19, with three Adult Saturday leagues (ProKit UK Essex Olympian League, County Motor Works Vauxhall Mid Essex League and the Southend Borough & District Football Competition) joined in participation by the Braintree & North Essex Sunday League. 

For the start of the 2019/20 season, in accordance with the laws of the game as determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), Sin Bins have become mandatory across all leagues within the country at Step Five of the FA National League System and below. County FAs have responsibility for training participants at Step 7 and below.

This change has a direct impact on referees, players, clubs and leagues throughout Essex and a number of essential training sessions have taken place already to allow participants to understand the process of Sin Bins and how they will operate on a matchday.

All training sessions are free of charge and have been restricted to 100 attendees only to allow individuals to engage and ask any relevant questions. The training is aimed at match officials and team managers (or captains) as these individuals will be directly affected by the change, and participants are encouraged to book onto a session as soon as possible.

Links to the booking platform for the following sessions can be found below:

Monday 29th July: Aveley FC (7:30-9:00pm) (Fully Booked)

Thursday 1st August: Hamptons Sport & Leisure (Chelmsford) (7:30-9:00pm) (Book Online)

Monday 5th August: Dagenham & Redbridge FC (7:30-9:00pm) (Fully Booked)

Wednesday 7th August: Stanway Rovers FC (7:30-9:00pm) (Book Online)

Thursday 8th August: Aveley FC (7:30-9:00pm) (Book Online)

Wednesday 14th August: Stanway Rovers FC (7:30-9:00pm) (Book Online)