Tweaks/Changes to FA Regulations

[Red Bird]

This (http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/NewsAndFeatures/2009/OnFieldReview.aspx) ought to make for an interesting season.

Clubs are also being advised separately that any media comments by managers, players or any other club officials relating to appointed Match Officials prior to a fixture will no longer be allowed - such pre-match comments will be deemed improper and dealt with accordingly.

Post-match comments in relation to Match Officials and incidents are still permitted provided they are not personal in their nature, imply bias or attack the integrity of the Officials in charge of the match, or in any other respect bring the game into disrepute.

Also, and in line with The FA’s previous concerns relating to incidents where Match Officials are surrounded by groups of players, clubs can now be charged for instances where three or more players surround a referee in a “confrontational manner”. Previously the charge required officials to report “harassment or intimidation” by three or more players.

[Harry Boulton]

All good intentioned, but you watch.

The first manager to do it will be fined accordingly. From there on in managers will persisist in doing it and consistantly get away with it to the point that the FA don't bother with it any more.

[51BLU]

Should help the FA pay off the Wembley bill a little faster :rolleyes:

[Red Bird]

Should help the FA pay off the Wembley bill a little faster :rolleyes:

That was my first impression. There are many folks whose pockets will be picked because of these regulations. A bit like speed cameras-- ostensibly there for safety but the revenue stream doesn't hurt, does it?

[Harry Boulton]

I honestly can't see it making too much of a difference. The rules are still open to interpretation which means they can be argued in any number of different ways.

A good lawyer or solicitor could very easily argue that a managers comments were not personal, and were not intended to be taken as such, and seeing as intent is so difficult to prove, I think we'll still see many managers getting away with it more often than not. Then you have suggestion, which David Moyes used very cleverly before the United-Everton FA Cup semi-final last year, where I don't think he named the referee but he very clearly alluded to the fact that the referee might want to think twice before making decisions, espeically those in Uniteds favour. Whether or not it made a difference is open for debate but I clearly remember Welbeck being denied a very clear penalty?

Also, how do you count the number of players "surrounding" the referee. What if two players approach the official and then 5 or 6 do the same but maintain a distance of maybe a metre or more? Are they really surrounding the referee or simply following their teams mates? Do they have to stay a minimum distance away from the match officials? What about the linesmen or the 4th officials?

For me I'd like to see more straight forward regulations butm more clear cut-off points. If a decision is made about a tackle then you should either only permit the two players involved to discuss it, OR allow just the captains, and no one else, to contest the decision with the referee.

Pre-match talks should not include any discussion about the match officials at all, full-stop. I see no reason why managers or players would want to talk about match officials for any other reason than to gain an advantage. Seeing as match officials are meant to be impartial they really should have nothing to say on the matter at all.

[RichardL]

The fact is that a number of managers have become very skilled at "playing the game" with regards to commenting on officials, and make those comments quite deliberately in the hope the ref will think twice about any controversial decision.

The fines will be relatively small. Anyone thinking this was inspired by the thought of making money is living in a dreamworld.