Strict behaviour rules for footballers, coaches introduced in EPL

The English Premier League, English Football League and Football Association on Wednesday introduced new behaviour rules for players and coaches in the league and asked match officials to take stronger position towards them in case of “intolerable behaviour”.

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

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

Yellow cards will be issued to players who show visibly disrespectful behaviour to any match official, respond aggressively to decisions, confront an official face to face and run towards an official to contest a decision, EPL’s official website stated.

A yellow card will be given for physical contact with any match official in a non-aggressive manner (e.g. an inquisitive approach to grab the official’s attention).

A red card will be given for physical contact with match officials in an aggressive or confrontational manner.

A yellow card for at least one player when two or more from a team surround a match official. The FA will continue to sanction teams when they surround match officials.

The requirements of the Technical Area Code of Conduct will be more rigorously enforced for players and club staff. Additionally, match officials will be required to retain professional detachment from players and club staff at all times.

“We and our clubs have been discussing for some time concerns that certain elements of player behaviour are overstepping the mark and it is our collective position that these types of behaviour should no longer be tolerated,” Richard Scudamore, executive chairman of English Premier League 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,” Scudamore said.