UEFA President Michel Platini Calls for End of Yellow Cards in Football (Poll)

UEFA president Michel Platini says he wants to replace yellow cards in football with a new disciplinary rugby-style system of "sin bins."

Under current rules, a footballer remains on the pitch after receiving a yellow card. Upon earning a second, however, the player is sent off for the remainder of the match, with his or her team continuing with a numerical disadvantage. Players can also be suspended for accumulating yellow cards over the course of a season or tournament.

Platini's proposal would change that. Speaking to Spanish newspaper Diario AS (translated by Eurosport-Yahoo!), Platini said:

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I would do it like in rugby, where the perpetrator would be punished by being off the pitch for 10 or 15 minutes of the game.

That means the team they are facing would benefit in the same match and it would be instead of a ban for accumulation of cards against another side later in the season.

It is an idea which needs now to be developed and to see if it is something that would be good for the game.

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FIFA president Sepp Blatter responded to Platini's proposal later Thursday, saying he "cannot see why" the system should be changed.

Platini has made headlines for his views in the past. The former French international has long resisted the implementation of goal-line technology but his recent comments to the Evening Standard (via ESPN.co.uk) hinted he could be changing his mind.

In the interview with AS, Platini also said he wants winners of domestic cup competitions to earn places in the UEFA Champions League. He added that he thinks his presidency has improved the game in Europe.

"I have worked to improve the game by asking for three changes: The pass-back rule, the red card for the last defender, and the introduction of goal-line officials..." he said. "I think I have done plenty to improve the game with these rule changes."

Platini has served as UEFA's president since 2007.