English football authorities launch measures to tackle behaviour, tragedy abuse

LONDON : English football authorities have introduced a series of disciplinary measures to improve the behaviour of players, managers and fans at all levels of the game next season, several governing bodies said in a joint statement on Monday.

Under the new framework, match officials will have more power to act against unacceptable behaviour, while captains will be "expected to take responsibility for their team mates" and promote fair play and respect towards match officials.

Incidents in which multiple players confront or invade the personal space of match officials will result in at least one player receiving a card, with the FA reserving the right to take further action against the offending club.

New rules have also been introduced to address offensive chants, gestures and the display of offensive messages based on football tragedies, with individuals found guilty of such offences facing stadium bans and criminal prosecution.

A fan who wore a Manchester United shirt at last season's FA Cup final against Manchester City making an offensive reference to the Hillsborough disaster in which 97 fans died in a crush in 1989 was in June banned from attending games for four years.

A Tottenham Hotspur fan was also banned from games for three years after making gestures mocking the Hillsborough tragedy at the Premier League match between Liverpool and Spurs in April.

Liverpool called for an end to "vile chants" about the Hillsborough disaster after they were heard during April's Premier League draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

“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