The Football Association are cracking down on the stream of verbal abuse from managers and coaches in technical areas by introducing a formal code of conduct.
Although referees already have the power to dismiss people from the technical area, they have told managers they will implement a two-step system this season that could lead to banishment from the bench for any member of staff.
Technical-area staff have been left in no doubt that abuse of the fourth official or opposition benches will no longer be tolerated.
Fourth officials have been told to monitor touchline behaviour, and technical staff will be issued with a warning in the first instance for persistent verbal abuse or, for example, sarcastically applauding a decision.
The next offence will lead to the transgressor being sent to the stands and charged by the FA for breaching the guidelines that have been agreed by all Premier League clubs.
Referees’ chiefs have rightly argued that the fourth official already has a tough enough job assisting the referee without being used as a verbal punchbag by outraged club staff.
The clubs were told of the new code of conduct at a meeting of Barclays Premier League managers in London on Tuesday afternoon. With so many staff on the bench in the modern era, the initiative is designed to keep a lid on rowdy and unruly behaviour in the dug-out.
The FA have noticed an increase over the past year in the level of abuse directed towards the fourth official from various figures on the bench, including coaches, medical staff and substitutes.
Managers had been told the FA were considering the introduction of a series of cards, similar to those used on the pitch, to act as a deterrent this season.
Instead they will be issued with verbal warnings by referees. The powers to act against the antics that have become commonplace in the technical area have been stressed to officials. There will also be tougher sanctions imposed on teams who surround the referee in an attempt to coerce or influence decisions.
Mass confrontations have been outlawed by the FA because of a noticeable increase last season.
From the start of this season the number of players allowed to approach the referee and address him during the game will be cut from three to two.
Players who ignore the new regulations could be booked and the club could face a charge of surrounding the match official if it is mentioned in the referee’s report.
Premier League bosses have also been briefed by referees on the alteration to the offside rule.
Previously, players have been allowed to stand in offside positions without being punished, depending on whether the match official thought they were actively involved in play.
Now there will be a free-kick to the defending team if an attacker comes from an offside position to a place where the referee believes he could impact the opposing side’s chances of playing the ball.
- Daily Mail
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