Pep Guardiola has urged referees to use “balance” following the introduction of stricter regulations this season aimed at clamping down on “unacceptable” behaviour towards match officials.
The new Participant Charter empowers officials to take stronger action against abuse as football authorities seek a “reset” in how the those involved within the game conduct themselves.
And when asked if he might expect a red card at some point this season, Guardiola joked: “This is the only title I don’t have here in England.
“I understand the referees because sometimes we behave really, really badly in front of the fourth official and the referees.
“I had the feeling always that when you review things afterwards we feel ashamed.
“The other side is that we have to control it but the emotions are there. If we cannot celebrate or have any actions it will be so annoying.”
The clamp down comes after 38 cards were distributed to managers last season, an increase of 20 from the preceding campaign.
Guardiola hopes a balance can be struck between being passionate on the touchline and showing respect towards officials.
“I remember my first season when I arrived there was a rule from the referees that every single touch was a penalty,” he reflected.
“I remember the first game away, Stoke City, Mark Hughes was there and there were two soft penalties.
“After a month, two months, the rule changed. Now I understand the sensitivity. We behave most of the time really bad and we have to improve that.
“Then again, hopefully we can find a balance. As much as you make of something, not over-exaggerate it.
“Now we know every time I’m going to talk it’s going to be a yellow card and every movement there will be a yellow card.
“We have to adapt and accept the consequences and hopefully at the end we can arrive in a moment that we can talk to the referees and the referees can talk with us.
“We can talk with fourth officials and fourth officials can talk with us in a normal way.”
