Swearing at Referees Now Attracts Summary Dismissal

RIOT ACT FOR EPL PLAYERS

Plans designed to reduce “intolerable behaviour” by players and managers in English football have been announced.

In a statement, the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association said poor conduct has reached “unacceptable levels”.

Starting this season, red cards will be issued to players who confront match officials and use offensive language or make gestures towards them.

Behaviour within the technical areas will also be more rigorously enforced.

Not one player has been sent off in the Premier League for insulting or abusive language towards a match official in the last five seasons.

But Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore said there has been concern “for some time” that players have been “overstepping the mark”.

“It is our collective position that these types of behaviour should no longer be tolerated,” he added.

“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.”

Offences which could earn players a yellow card

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.