Fans who chant about tragedies could be arrested and banned, while referees will be told to issue cards when confronted by two or more players under a new code of conduct aimed at cleaning up football.
Following talks between the sport’s governing bodies and the Crown Prosecution Service, singing sick songs about disasters such as Munich and Hillsborough will be classed as a criminal offence.
And, as part of a raft of wide-ranging regulations, players and coaches who repeatedly abuse referees will face increased penalties from the Football Association.
The changes, which have been made in time for the new season, include a crackdown on what has been termed ‘tragedy chanting’.