Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta received a yellow card in the Community Shield final. Photo: Getty Images/Eddie Keogh. Referee chief Howard Webb has announced that touchline behavior seen last season by Premier League managers such as Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp will no longer be tolerated. Webb, the chief referee, has ordered his officials to fine and sack managers for behavior that he said was previously tolerable. Webb said the decision was made in part because the Premier League manager's behavior affected how officials were treated in the mass game.
Arteta, a repeat offender, received a warning from referee Stuart Attwell in Arsenal's victory over Manchester City on Sunday. Webb said he told officials he would not back down until he saw a change in management behavior. “I am determined that this will not be something that you will only see over the next few days and weeks,” he said. «Feel free to quote me on this.»
Webb, who retired as a referee in 2014 and has been in charge of PGMOL [Pro Games Officials] since December, is moving ahead with two major initiatives in his first full season. The other is punishment for time-wasting tactics with warnings for delayed free kicks and unnecessary stoppages, and adding extra time at the end of games to compensate. It is mandated throughout professional football by Ifab, which regulates the rules of the game.
The 100-minute match phenomenon has drawn criticism from players, but Webb said he thinks the amount of stoppage time will «calm down» when players realize that the old methods are no longer acceptable. Webb said PGMOL analysts expect the average total stoppage time for both halves to be 11 and a half minutes, compared to eight and a half minutes last season.
In terms of managerial behavior, Webb said those on the sidelines need to understand that the protests and interventions that have been tolerated «will no longer be managed or ignored — and this behavior will stop.»
He said: “It is important that our officials distinguish between emotion and passion…because for too long officials have not always been able to draw this distinction too well, or they have chosen to turn a blind eye to certain things. Maybe thought it was the best way to deal with it. In order not to raise a fuss and not draw attention to what could be perceived as a mistake on the field.
“But the power of example is so strong, and we see many examples. All the numbers [data] are moving in the wrong direction around what is happening in the game. Too often we see grassroots officials having bad experiences. This needs to change in our sport. In our game, we are determined to do just that.
“It falls on the shoulders of officials. They understand that by doing this consistently, they will improve their example set and experience in the professional game. Although some behavioral changes will need to be made at first, they will eventually get a more enjoyable game from their point of view.”
Seven red cards were shown. managers last year and 31 bookings. This was a sharp increase from one red card in 2021/22 and 17 warnings. Previously, both numbers were even smaller, with two yellow and two red numbers shown in 2020-2021.
One of the most high-profile touchline incidents came in April when Klopp was booked for aggressively celebrating in front of fourth official John Brooks — an image that went around the world. Klopp was subsequently suspended for one match at the touchline and another suspended and fined for remarks about referee Paul Tierney following Liverpool's victory over Tottenham. He also apologized.
Klopp received a warning for celebrating in front of match officials. Credit: Reuters/Carl Recine
Webb said the Dark Arts would also be cracked down on, with players now warned for stopping fast free throws or shots. or for slow replacements. Time will also be added for these incidents. Goal celebration stops will be timed and this number will be added instead of the standard 30 seconds for each goal.
Webb said more yellow cards and stoppage time would change behavior. “It's not just about adding time, it's about losing momentum,” he said. “Of course, there are more dark arts in the game than before. Everyone tells me this, and I see it myself.
“There is no doubt that we are seeing more and more tactics designed to slow down the pace of the game. I see it. Do you see this. I also receive feedback from clubs. Lots of talk about wasted time…why our officials aren't getting stronger. It's not just about adding time, but the actions we're taking at the moment to deal with those actions.
“We now have a larger analytics team than ever before. We look at trends. We are looking at situations where we can identify tactics used infamously to delay or slow down the game. We, as a group of professional judges, are more aware of this than I ever was before I retired in 2014. I would referee the game and use my personal experience.»
Webb said PGMOL «watched with interest» as the referees announced Var decisions through public address systems in the stadium, as in the case of the women's championship finals peace. Webb said it would ultimately be Ifab's decision and then the Premier League would be introduced. «But I would really like the information to be meaningful.»
Webb will also continue with a monthly report on Var's decisions, accompanied by the original audio recording of officials discussing their arguments.
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