Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the motion of introducing sin-bins into Champions League football.

The Scot has taken up a UEFA role following his retirement as Manchester United manager in 2013, acting as chairman for a forum of elite coaches.

Ferguson, 72, has now thrown his weight behind plans to usher in a 10-minute suspension in European games - at club and international level.

"I chair a forum of elite coaches that meet every year and I'm a member of the technical study group of the Champions League and the European Championship," he told The Mirror.

"So I'm still involved in football at the highest level. Right now we're looking at the possibility of introducing sin-bins like they have in rugby - a 10-minute suspension during the match.

"But we want to be careful that somehow it isn't exploited if it's introduced."

UEFA president Michel Platini has previously revealed that the sin-bin - for which a white card would be issued - would not replace the yellow card.