Starting at the beginning of the 2016/17 season players will be shown a red card should they direct offensive language or gestures at a referee.
Running to confront an official will earn that player a yellow and on the discretion of the referee he may yellow-card at least one player if surrounded by two or more players.
“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,” said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.
“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.”
According to the statement, offences which could earn a yellow card now include:
– 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
– Physical contact with any match official in a non-aggressive manner
– When two or more players surround a match official (at least one yellow card will be shown)
Red cards will be shown when:
– Players confront match officials and use offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards them
– Players use physical contact with officials in an aggressive or confrontational manner
