EXCLUSIVE: Premier League bosses are warned they are at risk of touchline bans and clubs risk BIGGER fines as the FA get tough on criticism of referees

Premier League managers have been warned they face touchline bans with clubs to be given bigger fines as part of an FA crackdown on criticism of referees. 

Mail Sport has learned that the Premier League and EFL were informed of a tougher approach from the authorities at a meeting with the FA and Professional Game Match Officials Board [PGMOL] last week, with further talks on the subject planned for next week.

The Premier League and EFL launched a clampdown on players and managers showing dissent to referees during games before the start of the season, with the threshold for receiving yellow cards lowered and officials instructed to be stricter in policing behaviour in the technical area, a change in emphasis which the FA now wish to extend to cover post-match comments. 

Mikel Arteta's outburst at St James Park earlier this month in which he described Stuart Atwell's decision to award Anthony Gordon's winning goal for Newcastle as 'embarrassing' and a 'disgrace' was raised at last week's meeting, as was the club statement released by Arsenal the following day in which they backed their manager and called on PGMOL to 'urgently address the standard of officiating' in the Premier League.

Arteta was charged with misconduct by the FA last week for using words that were 'insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute,' but Arsenal escaped without censure for endorsing the Spaniard's comments. 

In last week's meeting however, the FA made it clear that in future any club offering public backing to managers who have been strongly critical of referees would also be charged and face the possibility of large fines.

Arteta is believed to be contesting the FA charge on the grounds that he did not insult Atwell and VAR Andy Madley, with a decision expected from the FA by Friday. 

Arsenal travel to Brentford on Saturday evening and Arteta could be banned from the touchline at the Gtech Community Stadium if found guilty, although a fine is another possibility.

The stakeholders meeting last week also featured discussions of other refereeing issues that have emerged this season, such as the increase in stoppage time being added by officials, which has become a source of frustration for players and managers.

The Daily Mail have this week launched our own campaign, Stop Abusing Referees, to express support for match officials and highlight bad behaviour from fans, players and managers at all levels from local parks to the Premier League.