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Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 April 2006, 19:26 GMT 20:26 UK
Fans keen on rugby-style sin bins
Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney
Chairman Brian Mawhinney is keen on innovations
Football fans want rugby league-style "sin bins" and new goal-line technology to be introduced into the game.

A survey of more than 43,000 supporters of Football League clubs revealed more than half believe sin bins would help referees tackle indiscipline.

Almost 90% also back innovations such as goal-line technology.

Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney said: "I would certainly volunteer the Football League to give a trial to new measures."

But as the League does not represent the top division of English football, it is excluded from the Association of European Professional Leagues - which means it has no way of influencing the decision-making of Fifa and Uefa.

"If we were delegated authority by Fifa and Uefa to decide on these matters, and I called a meeting of the clubs, I think sin bins would be a shoo-in," said Mawhinney.

"I also believe that goal-line technology would be a shoo-in. Those are just two examples of the things we are unable to do.

"We have made an offer to Fifa to introduce goal-line technology and sin bins on a trial basis in a competition like the Football League Trophy, but so far those have not been taken up.

"I don't support change for its own sake, but sin bins have helped to clean up rugby and I believe they could reduce the level of cynicism on the football field."

The survey also found that 88% of fans backed the League's decision to force clubs to publish how much they had spent on agents' fees, and 69% believed it was correct to limit League One and Two clubs' spending on wages to 60% of turnover.

"I am grateful to the fans for their input," added Mawhinney.

"Their views will help to influence the future direction of the Football League."

Other findings included:

  • 79% of fans advocate some form of smoking ban on matchdays.

  • 48% would like to see this implemented in the entire ground, 26% in seated/terrace areas only and 5% in the concourse area only.

  • 97% of supporters believe that clubs have an important role to play in their local community and 78% were of the view that their club is making a significant contribution locally.

  • 60% of fans believe the standard of referees in The Football League is average or above.

  • 88% would like to see the introduction of 'technical assistance' for referees if a suitable system to become available.

  • 50% of supporters indicated that the image of The Football League has improved during the last two years.




  • SEE ALSO
    Fans get say on football's future
    08 Dec 05 |  Football


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