- Jul 29, 2011
- 9,079
- 25,337
I'd love to see this, but sadly it won't happen.If I were a comms person, which I am, working at PGMOL, which I'm obviously not, I'd draft a letter that was posted on social media and to every club and every media outlet after every round of fixtures that said something like this with regards to dissent.
Before the start of the 2023/24 season our officials held meetings with all 20 clubs in the Premier League, including playing and managerial staff, and explained the changes to rules and practices that would be enforced in the upcoming season.
One of the main focuses of our discussions was on the subject of dissent. Our officials made it very clear that incidents like crowding round officials, disrespecting decisions and displays of anger about decisions would be punished by bookings. The players and managers have thus far failed to take heed of this practice and it is regrettable that so many bookings and, ultimately, sendings off continue to be given for dissent in every gameweek.
Our referees have the utmost respect for tensions running high in a highly competitive environment, and there is no greater competitive environment than the Premier League. Nevertheless, the PGMOL will not accept such blatant disrespect towards our referees that has become increasingly common and shows no signs of abating, right down to grassroots levels.
Therefore, we will continue to punish dissent in the same manner as has been done so far this season, and we call on the managers and players to remember this the next time they take the field, in order to maintain a good contest with an emphasis on good sportsmanship.
I wrote this in a couple of minutes, it's really not that bloody hard.
The idea that footballers are children who are unable to control themselves is just pitiful. Explain the rules, explain the consequences and let them get on with it.