Eddie Howe argues that 'more severe punishments' are needed for managers who bully officials as the Newcastle boss backs Mail Sport's 'Stop Abusing Referees' campaign

Eddie Howe has called for tougher punishment for managers who abuse referees in an effort to protect officials and improve the image of the game.

The Newcastle head coach believes there is mitigation in that the pressure top-flight bosses are under means their post-match actions are often too emotional. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a likely touchline ban after labelling the officials an ‘absolute disgrace’ following his side’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park this month.

And Howe, when asked about Mail Sport’s ‘Stop Abusing Referees’ campaign, said: ‘If you asked every manager, in the cold of light of day, we don’t want to see the abuse of referees. We want to see a game that has the referee held in respect and treated accordingly.

‘The other side of that is the emotion and the pressure. The situations we’re put in as managers is extreme and sometimes you see reactions, but that is based on emotion.

‘But I do think it’s something we all need to work together on, to try and improve the image of the game, for everyone who is watching the product. I would love to see that improved globally.

‘I think restrictions being brought in and punishments being more severe is the only way to go to try and improve that. I do think there is a willing from everyone in the game to do that, I don’t see the opposite. It’s just creating the culture that we need to.’

Is it important for managers to keep their composure more in post-match interviews?

‘Every manager would probably say yes, but then you have to deal with the emotion and you have to deal with the pressure we are all under, and we are human beings,’ said Howe.

‘If you interview managers two or three days later, you would never get the outburst you get. I feel exactly the same as every other manager, when you are emotional or frustrated immediately after a game, it is so difficult to stay calm.’