Restoring Justice to the Pitch: A Proposal for a “Time-Based Graduated Suspension System” (TBGSS) in Football

Aydın Tiryaki, Mustafa Bostan and Gemini 3 Pro (2025)

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(This proposal was developed to address the mathematical inequality in football disciplinary sanctions.)

Football is a complex game governed by simple rules. However, one of its oldest tenets—the Red Card and subsequent Match Suspension—has failed to keep pace with the modern game’s speed, mathematics, and demand for equity. Currently, a player sent off in the 5th minute receives the same standard suspension as one sent off in the 89th minute, despite the massive disparity in the “cost” paid by their respective teams during the match. This represents a fundamental flaw in sporting justice.

Current disciplinary codes focus solely on the nature of the offense, ignoring the timing and the immediate punitive weight borne by the team. A team reduced to 10 men in the 5th minute suffers a disadvantage for 85 minutes; the ejected player pays a heavy price emotionally and tactically in real-time. Conversely, a player sent off in the 89th minute, or suspended due to yellow card accumulation, pays almost no “in-game price.”

To rectify this imbalance and introduce a new layer of strategic depth, we propose a revolutionary reform: The introduction of “Half-Suspension,” “Quarter-Suspension,” and “Quota-Suspension” alongside the traditional Full Suspension.

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1. The Core Architecture: Balancing Time and Penalty

The proposed Time-Based Graduated Suspension System (TBGSS) utilizes specific game blocks (Halves and Extra Time periods) rather than precise minutes to ensure practical application.

A. Half-Suspension (First Half Dismissals)

• Scenario: A player is sent off within the first 45 minutes (1st Half). The team has already played at least one full half with a numerical disadvantage.
• Application: In the subsequent match, the player serves a “Half-Suspension.” They are listed as a “Locked Substitute.” They remain ineligible for the First Half but become eligible to enter the game at the start of the Second Half (46th minute).

B. Quarter-Suspension (Second Half & 2nd Yellow Card Dismissals)

• Scenario: A player is sent off in the Second Half (straight red for non-violent conduct) or receives a Second Yellow Card.
• Application: The player is banned for the full regulation time (90 minutes) of the next match. However, if that match ends in a draw and proceeds to Extra Time, the player’s suspension is lifted, and they become eligible to play in the extra 30 minutes.
• Impact: This rule eliminates the tragedy of star players missing major finals due to minor technical fouls or soft second yellow cards, while adding immense excitement to Extra Time scenarios.

C. Quota-Suspension (Yellow Card Accumulation)

• Scenario: A player triggers a suspension due to accumulating yellow cards over a tournament. Since their team never played with 10 men due to their actions, they have paid “zero in-game debt.”
• Application: This is the most restrictive tier. The player is eligible only if the next match goes to Extra Time.
  • In League Matches (No Extra Time): This effectively functions as a Full Suspension.
  • In Knockout Matches: It offers a “last resort” redemption chance in Extra Time.

D. Full Suspension (Late Game Dismissals)

• Scenario: A player is sent off in the dying minutes of the game (85+ mins) or during the Second Period of Extra Time (106-120 mins).
• Application: No leniency. The player serves a standard, full-match ban in the next fixture.

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2. The Extra Time Protocol

In knockout football, Extra Time (ET) is a critical phase. The system distinguishes between the two periods of ET to maintain fairness:

• Red Card in 1st Period of ET (91-105 mins): The team plays with a disadvantage during the most critical “survival” phase (2nd Period of ET + Penalties). Therefore, the player earns a “Quarter-Suspension” right for the next match (Eligible for next match’s Extra Time).
• Red Card in 2nd Period of ET (106-120 mins): The game is virtually over. The team pays minimal cost. The player receives a “Full Suspension” (No entry).

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3. Technical Implementation: The “Locked Substitute” Mechanism

To avoid chaos on the touchline (e.g., tracking specific minutes), the system relies on match breaks:

1. Squad List Reform: The suspended player is added to the match day squad as an “Extra/Conditional Reserve” (e.g., the 24th man).
2. Locked Status: On the referee’s tablet and digital team sheets, the player appears as “LOCKED.”
3. Unlocking:
   • For Half-Suspension: The system unlocks the player at Half-Time.
   • For Quarter/Quota-Suspension: The system unlocks the player at the end of Regulation Time (90+).
4. Substitution Slots: Crucially, unlocking the player does not grant an extra substitution slot. The manager must use one of their standard substitution opportunities (e.g., 1 of 5) to bring the player on. This preserves the tactical balance of the game.

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4. The Red Line: Zero Tolerance for Violent Conduct

This system is designed for footballing errors (DOGSO, timing tackles, tactical fouls, 2nd yellows). It is NOT applicable to serious disciplinary breaches.

Exemption Clause: Any red card issued for Violent Conduct, Spitting, Racism, or Assaulting an Official results in an immediate Full Suspension, regardless of the minute it occurred. There is no redemption for aggression.

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Conclusion

The Time-Based Graduated Suspension System aligns the punishment with the actual damage inflicted on the team.

1. It restores Equity by acknowledging the time served by the team on the pitch.
2. It heightens Drama in cup finals, turning Extra Time into a strategic showcase.
3. It encourages Tactical Bravery from managers managing “Locked” assets.

Football has evolved in its tactics and technology; it is time for its justice system to catch up.

Aydın Tiryaki, Mustafa Bostan and Gemini 3 Pro (2025)
Ankara, December 15, 2025