Sin bins and ‘cooling-off’ periods? How bonkers proposals could finally end fiery PL scuffles

A proposal for official “cooling off periods” is set to be discussed as the International Football Association Board (IFAB) attempts to improve player behaviour.

The IFAB will convene at Loch Lomond on March 2 for its annual general meeting, where the issue of flaring tempers among players is on the agenda.

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As part of the “cooling off period” proposal, referees would be given the power to briefly pause a match should players from both sides be unable to control themselves after an on-field incident.

Should the proposal be accepted, it would allow for trials of the concept in which players would be separated by the match officials into separate areas for a specific amount of time.

The cooling-off proposal is one of three concepts from the IFAB targeted at improving “participant behaviour.”

Competitions will trial a system similar to rugby where only the captain will be allowed to approach the referee to discuss in-game matters in a bid to end scenes where a horde of players rush the officials after a foul.

Additionally, 10-minute sin bins for cynical fouls and verbal abuse of officials will also be trialled.

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The IFAB’s crackdown on behaviour comes amid a string of ugly incidents involving players and officials in the Premier League this season.

Defending Premier League champions Manchester City by the FA for failing to control their players after