Premier League introduces new yellow & red card rules

The Premier League, the Football Association and the English Football League are seeking to address indiscipline in the game by reinforcing laws. In a statement, the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association said poor conduct has reached “unacceptable levels”. Starting this season, red cards will be issued to players who confront match officials and use offensive language or make gestures towards them.

Following are the new red & yellow card rules introduced.

Offences which could earn players 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;
  • A yellow card for at least one player when two or more from a team surround a match official.

New red card offences

  • If a player confronts match officials and uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards them;
  • Physical contact with match officials in an aggressive or confrontational manner.

Scenes of players, coaches and managers surrounding match officials, including physical contact, yelling abuse and poor conduct in technical areas in elite matches can be copied in age-group football. Martin Glenn, the FA chief executive, said: “That mimicry factor, the poor behaviour is picked up. We all believe we’ve got a responsibility for promoting the game in its wider sense.” Incidents that have shown the need for the whole-game approach include Leicester striker Jamie Vardy abusing referee Jonathan Moss in April and the fracas during the Chelsea-Tottenham derby at Stamford Bridge in May. It is possible there could be a large number of yellow and red cards early in the season.

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