Aimed mainly at the Premier League but I believe to be imposed across the EPL as well, the powers that be are plannining a new set of rules relating "unacceptable player behaviour". Richard Scudamore the PL chairman said, 'It is our collective position that these types of behaviour should no longer be tolerated. 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.' In the new plans, these are listed as the offences warranting a yellow card: 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; Offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards match officials; Physical contact with any match official in a non-aggressive manner; and A yellow card for at least one player when two or more from a team surround a match official. There are also new red card offences stipulated: If a player confronts match officials and uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards them; and Physical contact with match officials in an aggressive or confrontational manner. Well, as always the difficulty will be consistency among referees. The dictat about "simulation" springs to mind. And to be honest, I'd settle for the Football League officials (and that includes linesmen) just getting the basic decisions correct without giving them even more reasons to huff and puff out their chest in simulated afront.
