The referees’ chief, Howard Webb, says standards of behaviour in the English game have been “allowed to decline” over many years and a new code of conduct must be followed by everyone to address it. Officials are being empowered to show cards when confronted by two or more players in the new season and players and coaches who seriously or repeatedly abuse referees could face increased financial penalties from the Football Association. Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said: “Over a period of time we’ve seen a decline in some behaviours, both on the field of play and in the technical areas. It’s not exclusive to the English game, we’ve seen it around the world. “This has had knock-on effects. We’ve seen copycat behaviour at grassroots levels and that’s resulted in people either quitting as referees or not choosing to take up the whistle. For too long we as match officials have not done well enough in dealing with behaviours that have been unacceptable. We have too often confused unacceptable behaviour as passion. We’ve turned a blind eye or a deaf ear.” Webb, in an interview broadcast on PGMOL’s YouTube page, said it was time to get a grip of the problem. “Numbers are generally around the world declining and enough is enough. This is our chance to leave a legacy of improved behaviour. We’re being tasked as match officials to deliver change on the field of play by being resilient and robust and consistent with the way that we deal with unacceptable behaviour. “We’re ready to do that for the good of the game but it’s absolutely important that all stakeholders in the game stand behind our officials and ensure that they feel empowered and supported when they’re dealing with these behaviours.” At grassroots level teams could face points deductions where their players or staff are found to have seriously or repeatedly abused officials, but there are no indications that the professional game will follow suit. Webb says players and managers must be aware of their actions, especially on young people. “We have to accept that when we get to a certain level we’re all role models,” he said. “And we all have to understand that our behaviours do have an impact and therefore those behaviours that are exhibited have to be positive ones.”