The Premier League, English Football League and Football Association have warned clubs ahead of the new season that bad on-pitch behaviour from players will not be tolerated.
The separate bodies have joined together to create a new initiative, which includes issuing a red card to any player that angrily confronts a match official.
Last season witnessed a handful of unsavoury scenes on the pitch, notably the clash between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, which involved two mass brawls.
It has been announced that stronger action will be taken in relation to "behaviour towards match officials, with the aim of reducing disrespectful conduct such as aggressively challenging decisions or running from distance to confront an official".
Yellow cards will be issued to players who are guilty of the actions mentioned, while red cards will be brandished if footballers "confront match officials and use offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures towards them".
Physical contact and surrounding match officials is also punishable, while the Professional Game Match Officials will take a stricter stance on conduct in the technical area.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "We and our clubs have been discussing for some time concerns that certain elements of player behaviour are overstepping the mark and it is our collective position that these types of behaviour should no longer be tolerated.
"Things happen in the heat of the moment during fast and highly competitive football. We still want to see the passion fans enjoy and demand, but players and managers have to be aware there are lines that should not be crossed."
The new season gets underway next month.
Danielle Joynson
