English football authorities launch measures to tackle behaviour, tragedy abuse | Football News

English football authorities have jointly announced a series of disciplinary measures aimed at improving player, manager, and fan behavior at all levels of the game for the upcoming season. The measures aim to promote fair play, respect towards match officials, and eradicate offensive behavior from the game.

Match officials will have increased authority to act against unacceptable behavior, while team captains will be expected to take responsibility for their teammates’ actions and encourage fair play and respect towards match officials.
Incidents where multiple players confront or invade the personal space of match officials will result in at least one player receiving a card, and the Football Association (FA) reserves the right to take further action against the offending club.

To address offensive chants, gestures, and displays of offensive messages related to football tragedies, individuals found guilty of such offenses will face stadium bans and criminal prosecution. The aim is to create a safer and more respectful environment within football stadiums.
Recent incidents, such as a fan wearing a Manchester United shirt with an offensive reference to the Hillsborough disaster during the FA Cup final, and a Tottenham Hotspur fan making mocking gestures related to the same tragedy during a Premier League match, led to bans from attending games for several years. Such actions have spurred calls from clubs like Liverpool for an end to “vile chants” related to football tragedies.
The introduction of these new disciplinary measures is part of a concerted effort by the football authorities to uphold the values of fair play, respect, and sportsmanship, making football a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all stakeholders in the game.
“We are sending a clear message that we call on so called fans to stop this vile behaviour of a minority which has a terrible impact on the bereaved and communities,” said Douglas Mackay, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor and Sports National Lead Prosecutor said in Monday’s statement.
“If they do not then they face the risk of being excluded from the game they claim to love.”

‘INCREDIBLE POWER’
Signatories of the new disciplinary charter include the FA, Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League (WSL).
“Football has an incredible power to inspire people of all ages, and the professional game sets an example to all those who play and watch the sport,” said Premier League CEO Richard Masters.
“We want players, managers and fans to continue showing their passion, but these new measures have been introduced to ensure that the line is not crossed when it comes to on-field and technical area behaviour.
“We also strongly believe there is no room for abhorrent tragedy abuse in football.”
The measures include a technical area code of conduct requiring managers, coaches and other staff members to behave in a responsible manner as well as increased financial penalties for serious and repeat offenders.
During the match only one person can stand at the front of the technical area and while a second person can stand they “must remain very close to the technical area seating”.
Nobody from the technical area can “enter the pitch to confront any match official at halftime or full-time”.
Academy scholars at clubs will have to take refereeing courses to improve players’ education in officiating, while at the grassroots level, teams who commit repeated offences of serious misconduct could be deducted points.
(With Reuters inputs)