Premier League managers are using iPads to avoid touchline bans as they review referee’s decisions in real time
The FA's decision to allow tablets in dugouts coincided with the introduction of warnings for misbehaving bosses
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PREMIER LEAGUE bosses are avoiding touchline bans — by logging into their iPads.
A tweak in FA regulations last summer let managers and their staff use handheld devices in the dugout to monitor the referee’s performance.
The move coincided with a disciplinary clampdown that saw ‘Stage One Warnings’ introduced for bosses behaving badly.
Cardiff chief Neil Warnock seems to be struggling with the technology, having still picked up two warnings just eight games into the season.
But otherwise Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the only top-flight boss to have fallen foul of the regulations this term.
Premier League chiefs were told they faced touchline bans for every four warnings they picked up as the FA anticipated a spate of rows by the dugouts.
Yet there have been just three dished out — plus one for Wolves assistant boss Antonio Dias on the opening weekend of the season — from 80 Prem matches.
Richard Bevan, chief executive of the bosses’ union, the League Managers Association, said allowing bosses and their staff to use iPads and other devices has ensured a trickle rather than a flood of offences.
He said: “The fact that managers can use technology in the technical area has made a big difference.
“It means they have instant and accurate information about the decisions that have been taken in a game, rather than stewing over calls that have gone against them.”
There have been some controversial calls, with Everton furious that Arsenal’s second in their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates last month was clearly offside.
And Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was upset that West Ham’s opener in his side’s defeat at the London Stadium was allowed to stand after an offside was missed in the build-up.
But Bevan conceded the use of technology in real time meant that managers are recognising the vast majority of decisions are correct.
He added: “The quality of the refereeing in the Premier League is high. Our members recognise there are few mistakes.
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“The other thing that makes a difference is the quality of the fourth officials, who have far more understanding about what the role entails.
“That is the stand-out difference between the Premier League and the EFL.”
While there have been just the four Stage One Warnings in the top flight, there have been more than 40 issued to EFL bosses and staff, with Peterborough boss Steve Evans reported three times.
Bevan added: “Part of it is that Premier League managers tend to be older and more experienced in dealing with the emotions of the job.
“The average age of the Premier League managers this season is 56. Many of those in the EFL are under 45.
“In the lower leagues there is far greater volatility and turnover of managers, so they are under more pressure.
“But the quality of the officials, especially the fourth officials, is lower, because many of them are younger and more inexperienced too.
“And with so many situations where there are fans right behind the technical area and dugout putting pressure on referees, it is a concern.”