Football Association to introduce tough new sanctions after referee crowding increase

Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2015 by Express.co.uk

GREG DYKE has reiterated the FA’s determination to clamp down on players surrounding the referees after seeing charges triple in the last 12 months.

The scenes involving Chelsea which again brought the matter to the public attention were outside the FA’s jurisdiction, coming in a Champions League game where surrounding officials is not listed specifically as a misdemeanour.

By contrast, in domestic football if players crowd the referee it can result automatically in a charge and a fine – and as far as the FA are concerned, only three players constitutes a crowd.

At this stage of the season last year there had only been six such charges brought – already, though 16 teams have fallen foul of the rules and Dyke is considering introducing even tougher sanctions to curb the matter once and for all.

Chelsea players surround referee Bjorn Kuipers

Dyke said: “We have seen a pretty scary increase this season in the number of clubs charged with their players surrounding referees. As a result we have written to the clubs in the top five divisions reminding them of the rules and their responsibilities.

"I believe it is particularly important for professional clubs to set an example so that this kind of conduct is not replicated at grassroots and youth level.

"The whole game needs to ensure it is addressing this issue.”

The FA are determined to continue their firm stance by charging on a consistent basis but the PFA could take a lead by urging members to desist from the practice. Similarly yellow cards for dissent are under-employed weapons at the referees’ disposal.