Premier League 'third man' rule explained after Mario Lemina and Ruben Dias incidents

After a weekend of controversial decisions in the Premier League, both Mario Lemina and Ruben Dias were recipients of a new ruling introduced by the FA and the PGMOL, with referees set to clamp down on dissent.

Lemina of Wolverhampton Wanderers was sent off after running over to challenge Jarrod Gillet's decision at St Mary's on Saturday - his second yellow card of the game - as pundits questioned the official's reasoning.

Dias was however cautioned after opting to act in the same way for a foul on Kevin De Bruyne by Robert Jones, during Man City's 3-1 win over Villa at Etihad.

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The incidents have caused quite a stir over the weekend, with some questioning whether a supposed 'third man' rule applies regarding the third person in succession challenging a decision.

This however has been quickly shut down. But the FA and PGMOL are both set to stamp down on dissent in the game, if they feel a player comes over to challenge a decision by either their demeanor or by something they happen to say.

Dias, as pictured above, sprinted over to the referee Jones, much like Lemina did to Gillet and both players received the same treatment in the way of a yellow card. Many feel this is just the tip of the iceberg in regard to what's to come.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher denied such thing as a 'third man' ruling, insisting it is merely a cleaning-up operation that's been most recently sanctioned.

He told Sky Sports News earlier today (Monday): ''The difference with Dias is he comes an awfully long distance to make his point. That's what the referee is upset about there and it's nothing about being the third man there, it's all about