PLAYERS, managers AND fans have all been targeted in a major disciplinary clampdown for the new season.
The new measures, agreed by the FA, Prem, EFL and refs’ chiefs, will see officials better able to punish “unacceptable conduct on the pitch, on the side-lines and in the stands”.
Wembley bosses have been working on the updated proposals since mid-way through last season as on field and touchline anarchy exploded.
And the hardline measures, to come into effect from the start of the season, are aimed at ensuring referees are no longer pursued and intimidated by players and benches.
Under the new regulations, all club technical staff, including managers and assistants, must sign up to a “code of conduct” – which has been approved by the League Managers Association.
That will mandate them to attend pre-match briefings with the match officials, behave in a “responsible manner”, stay within the technical area at all times and not use tablets or or electronic devices to try to show refs that have made errors.
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In addition, any boss entering the pitch to confront an official at either half-time OR full-time will be in direct breach of the code and face punishment.
Breaches will bring heavier fines and other punishments including potential bans.
The crackdown for players, drawn up with the help of the PFA, will put the onus on team captains to “take responsibility for the behaviour of their team-mates”.
Crucially, players have been explicitly warned they “must not confront, invade the personal space of, or make physical contact with the match officials”.
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Yellow cards is the minimum punishment and WILL follow if “two or more players surround a match official in a confrontational manner”.
And players will be punished if they are adjudged to have “instigated or escalated a mass confrontation with opposing players and/or technical area occupants”.
In addition, and in response to so-called “tragedy chanting” by some fans, the game’s rulers promised “tough new measures” resulting in “stadium bans and potential criminal prosecution”.
Police and stewards will be expected to identify those guilty of “offensive chanting, gesturing and displaying offensive messages based on football-related tragedies”.
In a statement the governing body and leagues said: “The game will also continue its efforts to combat dangerous, illegal and unwelcome behaviour off the pitch, be it in the stands or online.
“Last season a host of new measures were introduced by authorities which saw enhanced sanctions applied for people identified entering the pitch, using pyros, taking drugs to games, throwing objects or for discriminatory abuse.”
Explaining the new stance, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Football has the unique power to unite, inspire and improve the lives of all those that play and watch the game at any level.
“However, in recent years we have seen how this can be negatively impacted by a small minority of players, coaches and fans.
"This season, English football is coming together with a commitment to address this unacceptable behaviour within our game, on the pitch and on the side-lines.
“We understand that it will take time to adapt to these new measures – but we are confident that they will have a positive impact at all levels.
"We are also determined to address the rise in unacceptable behaviour from the stands. Incidents such as dangerous conduct, discrimination, and chanting about football-related tragedies have no place in our game – and can lead to football bans and potential criminal action.
“Passion, emotion and excitement are fundamental to football, however this must be shown in the right way.
“Everyone can play their part, so that together we can create a safe and enjoyable environment for all."
Prem counterpart Richard Masters added: “We want players, managers and fans to continue showing their passion, but these new measures have been introduced to ensure that the line is not crossed when it comes to on-field and technical area behaviour.
“We also strongly believe there is no room for abhorrent tragedy abuse in football.
“Along with our clubs and the authorities, we are committed to sanctioning those found guilty and will also focus on educating fans of all ages so they understand why this abuse is so hurtful and unacceptable.”
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The new measures for the professional game will be allied to a clampdown at grass roots level as well, including the introduction of point deductions for teams whose players or coaches commit repeated offences of serious misconduct.
Additionally, the trial of bodycams for referees will continue into the 2023/24 season.
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