Data shows large decrease in players surrounding referees this season

The start of the 2023-24 season has seen a significant decrease in incidents of players surrounding referees and charges of mass confrontations, new figures show.

The statistics, released by various bodies involved in the English professional game, also show a sharp rise in the number of bookings for dissent compared to the same period last season.

There has been a 37 per cent decrease in charges for surrounding referees (from 19 to 12), a 43 per cent drop in mass confrontation charges (from 61 to 35) and a 10 per cent fall in technical area misconduct (to 63 charges from 70 last year).

These figures – which take into account the Premier League, EFL, National League system, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship – highlight the impact of a new approach enabling referees to take a tougher line on discipline.

Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer for Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said: “We were empowered and supported by the game to be more robust with our actions to address declining behaviour.

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “This shows that our new approach is making an impact at the top of the pyramid, and we need to maintain this and ensure that these positive changes are carried through to the whole game.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “Professional football sets an example to those who play and watch the game at all levels, so it is encouraging to see this approach has already had a positive impact on our game.”