
<p>Referee abuse in English is at an all-time high. Players and coaches have been giving both officials an earful as they go against calls. That could include reaction to VAR decisions, missed calls or just general grievances. </p>



<p>According to multiple reports, the total fines associated referee slander within English is now past $1.5 million for this season so far, according to <em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21793668/premier-league-fines-refereeing-efl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The S*n</a>.</em> Note that this includes fines in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. In total, 54 of the 92 teams in the English top four divisions have received fines. There are over 100 fines that reach that sum.</p>



<p>Fines come out for using inappropriate language towards officials or getting too aggressive. The most recent edition of these incidents came in the FA Cup quarterfinal matchup between <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/man-utd-seal-fa-cup-semifinal-place-against-nine-man-fulham-20230319-WST-423773.html">Fulham and Manchester United</a>. Aleksandar Mitrovic shoved center referee Chris Kavanagh after Willian and Fulham manager Marco Silva picked up red cards. Mitrovic also earned a red card for his antics. </p>



<p>The biggest ‘spenders’ in the fine market stemming from referee abuse are Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton. Each of those three clubs has paid the FA over $140,000 due to abuse. However, according to <em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21507459/man-city-arsenal-fine-referee-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The S*n</a></em>, the biggest single fine belongs to Manchester City. The FA fined City $92,000 for disorderly conduct on two occasions in the club’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/man-city-snatch-premier-league-lead-from-arsenal-with-win-20230215-WST-420007.html">win at Arsenal</a> earlier this season.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Arsenal v. Manchester City | PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | 2/15/2023 | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tjBrbeH2XZw?start=661&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>English referee abuse most common in the Premier League</h2>



<p>Those four clubs are among the 15 Premier League teams to pick up fines for referee abuse in the English Premier League. Total fines range from $18,000 to $227,000. The former is Brighton, and the latter is Arsenal. The only five clubs not to pick up fines this season for referee abuse in the English Premier League are Newcastle, Brentford, Leicester City, Bournemouth and Southampton. </p>



<p>The FA released a statement in response to what <em>The S*n</em> found.</p>



<p>“Referees and match officials play vital roles in our national sport. Any inappropriate behavior towards them is completely unacceptable. Players, coaches, support staff and club officials have a responsibility to treat them with respect, and action will be taken against anyone involved in English football where there is evidence that they have failed to meet that standard.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus</em></p>


Referee abuse in the English soccer leagues is potent, with the total amount of fines hitting a mind-boggling number this season alone.

English referee abuse fines hit $1.5 million in 2022/23


<p>A Tottenham Hotspur fan admitted to assaulting <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-beat-tottenham-to-go-eight-points-clear-20230115-WST-415597.html">North London Derby</a> in January. 35-year-old Joseph Watts pleaded guilty to the offense during a court appearance on Friday. As punishment, Watts cannot attend soccer matches for four years. He also has been ordered 150 hours of community service and has to pay a $120 fine directly to Ramsdale.</p>



<h5>Watts caught on camera assaulting the Arsenal keeper</h5>



<p>The incident occurred after the Gunners recorded a 2-0 victory over bitter rivals <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Spurs</a> in January. Ramsdale, while being pushed by Spurs forward Richarlison, went to collect a water bottle near his goal. As the keeper reached the bottle, Watts kicked Ramsdale in the back. The fan then ran back up the stands inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in attempts to flee.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEW FOOTAGE 📹 of a Spurs fan kicking Aaron Ramsdale. This angle shows the fan climb over the barrier and onto the advertising hoarding where he then kicks the keeper, whose Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-0. Spurs have vowed to ban the supporter for life. <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/TLk8dg2uy7">pic.twitter.com/TLk8dg2uy7</a></p>— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers/status/1614986650211307521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Presiding deputy district judge A. King scolded Watts during the sentencing, but did claim that the assault was minor. “When individuals lose self-control it can have a ripple effect. In this case there could have been a significant risk of serious public order,” <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12813215/aaron-ramsdale-man-given-four-year-football-banning-order-for-assaulting-arsenal-goalkeeper-at-tottenham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> the judge.</p>



<p>“It has had some psychological effect and he (Ramsdale) will have this in the back of his mind when he goes to work in the future.”</p>



<p>Watts also admitted to being drunk during the match. He claimed that he had six pints and threw four coins onto the pitch as well.</p>



<h2>Aaron Ramsdale issues court statement on Tottenham fan</h2>



<p>The Arsenal and England international keeper also issued a statement on the ordeal. Ramsdale claimed that his back felt “heavy” after the kick, but there were no visible marks. “I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me. I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work,” said Ramsdale.</p>



<p>It remains to be seen if Spurs will issue a more lengthy ban on the fan. After the incident, the north London club <a href="https://www.90min.com/posts/tottenham-release-statement-after-fan-attacks-aaron-ramsdale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> that they would “take the strongest possible action, including an immediate ban from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Propaganda Photo</em></p>


A Tottenham fan has been found guilty of assaulting Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following a kick at the goalkeeper.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Fine"

Leagues: EPL

English referee abuse fines hit $1.5 million in 2022/23

Arsenal

Tottenham fan fined $120 and given ban for kicking Aaron Ramsdale