The Premier League has introduced new rules to curb “intolerable behaviour” from players and managers alike.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, the Football Association revealed that this was done because poor conduct in the league has reached “unacceptable levels”.
Players who confront match officials and use offensive language or make gestures will now be sent off during games.
Behaviour within the technical areas will also be more rigorously enforced.
“It is our collective position that these types of behaviour should no longer be tolerated,” Premier League Chairman, Richard Scudamore, said.
“Things happen in the heat of the moment during fast and highly competitive football. We still want to see the passion fans enjoy and demand, but players and managers have to be aware there are lines that should not be crossed.”
New yellow card offences
- Visibly disrespectful behaviour to any match official
- An aggressive response to decisions
- Confronting an official face to face
- Running towards an official to contest a decision
- Offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards match officials
- Physical contact with any match official in a non-aggressive manner;
- A yellow card for at least one player when two or more from a team surround a match official
New red card offences
- If a player confronts match officials and uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards them
- Physical contact with match officials in an aggressive or confrontational manner
