EXCLUSIVE: Premier League bosses are warned they are at risk of touchline bans and clubs risk BIGGER fines as the FA get tough on criticism of referees
- Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stamp out abuse of match officials
- Premier League managers now face the risk of touchline bans and higher fines
- Have you witnessed referee abuse? Contact IAKO@dailymail.co.uk
Premier League managers have been warned they could face touchline bans with clubs facing higher fines as part of the FA’s crackdown on criticism of referees.
Mailsport has learned that the Premier League and EFL have been informed of a tougher approach from authorities during a meeting with the FA and Professional Game Match Officials Board [PGMOL] last week, with further discussions on this topic planned for next week.
The Premier League and EFL have put pressure on players and managers who express dissent towards referees during pre-season matches. The threshold for receiving yellow cards was lowered and officials were ordered to be stricter in police behavior in technical matters. emphasis that the FA now wants to extend to post-match commentaries.
Mikel Arteta’s outburst at St James Park earlier this month, in which he described Stuart Atwell’s decision to award Anthony Gordon’s winning goal for Newcastle as ’embarrassing’ and a ‘disgrace’, was brought up last week, as was the club statement released by Arsenal. The following day they backed their manager and called on PGMOL to ‘urgently address the standard of performance’ in the Premier League.
Arteta was charged with misconduct by the FA last week for using words that were ‘offensive to match officials and/or prejudicial to the match and/or brought into disrepute’, but Arsenal escaped censure for endorsing the comments the Spaniard.
Jurgen Klopp angrily argues with the officials during Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Spurs last season
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slammed the referees after Newcastle’s controversial winning goal
Ex-Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off in March for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh
Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees to boost the game
However, at last week’s meeting the FA made it clear that in future any club offering public support to managers who have been strongly critical of referees would also be charged and face the possibility of heavy fines.
It is believed Arteta is disputing the FA’s charge on the grounds that he did not insult Atwell and VAR Andy Madley. The FA expects a decision on Friday.
Arsenal travel to Brentford on Saturday evening and Arteta could be banned from the sidelines at the Gtech Community Stadium if found guilty, although a fine is also a possibility.
Last week’s stakeholder meeting also discussed other refereeing issues that have emerged this season, such as the increase in injury time added by referees, which has become a source of frustration for players and managers.
The Ny Breaking launched our own campaign this week, Stop abusing refereesto show support for match officials and highlight bad behavior from fans, players and managers at all levels, from local parks to the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino (centre) admitted he was wrong when he reacted angrily to the referees at the end of Chelsea’s eight-goal thriller against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge earlier this month
