CONTROVERSIAL plans to trial a “sin bin” system in grassroots football leagues have been met with a lukewarm response from north Essex officials.

The Football Association proposal relates only to players booked for dissent and will see them being subject to “temporary dismissals”, whereby they will leave the field for ten minutes.

The governing body has invited leagues at step seven - the seventh tier of non-league football - and below to trial the system.

These include the Essex and Suffolk Border League, the Colchester and East Essex League, the Colchester and District Sunday League and the Colchester and District Youth League.

However, key figures in the area are less than convinced.

Senior Colchester official Dave Duffett – a referee, assistant referee, fourth official and national game observer for 2,799 matches, having just completed his 43rd season - fears there may be a “knee-jerk reaction”.

“Firstly, it’s only the local step seven leagues that have been invited to test the system,” he said.

“In theory, it appears a good idea and not before time.

“However, I think we should be cautious and aware of how it is implemented.

“The introduction will be aimed at level seven, local parks football and very low-profile.

“But until the system is tested, it could well result in difficulties with the enforcement and policing of it.

“My initial concerns would be that there would be a knee-jerk reaction and I would also question where the player would stand and who would monitor his/her behaviour.”

Duffett is vastly experienced, having officiated at six youth internationals, including two at the old Wembley Stadium, and been honoured with an outstanding contribution to refereeing award from the FA in 2015.

But he feels his issues could be considered prior to any trial.

“Maybe it would be a better idea for the tests to be held at National League level, where technical areas are available and where a fourth official is used,” he added.

“Thereafter, results of the test could be analysed, prior to feeding it down to the local parks.

“Of course, we hope to extinguish the dissent that has blighted the game for much too long.

“But firstly, and most importantly, the FA must engage with players and managers, so all concerned have a clear understanding of the implications if they continue with their dissent towards match officials.

“So let’s be positive and remain focused that with all parties working and communicating with each other, the cautions for dissent will disappear.”

The FA have said the trial will include a mixture of Saturday and Sunday, male, female, adult and youth leagues across the country.

A statement said: “Following the decision of IFAB (the International Football Association Board) earlier this year to permit national associations the ability to implement changes in rules at grassroots level of the game, we have agreed to pilot the system in selected leagues for the duration of the 2017-18 season.

“With dissent accounting for 24 per cent of all cautions at grassroots level, the intention is to change the behaviour and impose an immediate sanction on the player.”

The FA added that sin bin cautions will not attract the normal £10 administration fee that cautions for dissent currently do.

Leagues are not compelled to take part and any decision to trial the system will be at their discretion.

However, officials from two local leagues are less than convinced.

Essex and Suffolk Border League registration secretary Mick Willmore, who also represents Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and Maldon on the Essex FA council, said: “Personally, I’m against the proposals and would feel sorry for the poor referees.

“I think it puts too much pressure on them, especially in a bad-tempered game where several players might spend time in the sin bin.

“It’s another thing for them to have to keep on top of and their job is already hard enough.

“This proposal has been completely sprung on us by the FA.

“There hasn’t been any discussion or consolation whatsoever and I don’t think that’s right.”

Willmore was due to debate the issue further at an Essex County FA council members’ meeting in Chelmsford on Friday night.

The Colchester and East Essex League, meanwhile, will discuss the trial at their next committee meeting, at Belle Vue Social Club tonight.

If officials agree to the proposed trial, it will then be put to the clubs at their annual meeting in June.

Clubs will then have a chance to put forward their thoughts and vote on the proposal.

The clubs themselves always have the final decision on behalf of the league, unless in the future it becomes a compulsory ruling.

However, treasurer and press secretary Brian Rowe said: “My personal view, not necessarily that of the league, is that it won’t go through.

“I don’t think it will be well received and believe that at this stage, it’s pretty unworkable.

“I’d seriously question whether it’s been thought out properly at this level of football, where matches are controlled by the referee with his assistants being supplied by each club. This, to me, will put more pressure on referees.

“They’re the ones who are going to have to deal with it and I can’t see them wanting to trial it without independent assistance.

“I think they’ll turn round and say ‘no’.”