Faced with discontent from Premier League stars, referees boss Howard Webb 'calls on officials to crack down on players waving imaginary yellow cards’

Referees have reportedly been told to take a tough stance with players waving imaginary yellow cards in their faces when the game is disgruntled and trying to get a grip.

Postal game From grassroots football to the Premier League this week launched a campaign to rid the game of the appalling treatment meted out to referees, and the FA has thrown its support behind it.

But there has to be buy-in from the players on and off the pitch telegramHoward Webb, head of umpires, likes to see severe penalties for any player or manager waving imaginary cards and warning an opponent.

There have also been incidents this season of players pretending to give a card in front of the referee and going unpunished.

One example was in Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool when Spurs defender Destiny Udoki, who had already been booked, escaped being sent off by referee Simon Hooper when he misjudged an imaginary card order.

Other players have not been so lucky, with Liverpool midfielder Alexis MacAllister among the players booked for the gesture this season.

Now Webb has emphasized the importance of getting it out of the game.

Webb, who was at the top of his game as a referee, had a penchant for transparency and fairness in refereeing decision-making.

But now the focus is on giving more respect to the authorities, and this is starting to reduce the level of dissent.

Postal game It can be revealed that Premier League clubs have been warned of heavy fines and their managers face more touchline bans by the FA.

The FA and top referees’ body, PGMOL, last week spelled out a tougher approach for Premier League and EFL clubs. Further talks are scheduled for next week as well.

Mikel Arteta’s outburst at St James’ Park earlier this month, in which he described Stuart Atwell’s decision to concede Anthony Gordon’s winning goal to Newcastle as ’embarrassing’ and 'disgraceful’, was revealed in a club statement at last week’s meeting. The day after Arsenal, they backed their manager and called on PGMOL to 'urgently address the quality of officiating’ in the Premier League.

Arteta was charged with misconduct by the FA last week for using words that 'insult match officials and/or bring the game into disrepute’, but Arsenal escaped censure for endorsing the Spaniard’s comments.