PREMIER LEAGUE clubs breached the new rules on the opening weekend of the season – but escaped without punishment.
A whole host of fresh legislations were brought in over the summer – which will see matches regularly exceed the 100-minute mark.
One of the changes means only one coach can stand at the edge of the technical area to give instructions to players.
Should a second join and also bark out orders, they should be booked.
However, both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest coaches got away without cautions despite breaking the rules in the lunchtime kick-off.
Mikel Arteta’s No2 Albert Stuivenberg and Gunners set-piece coach Nicolas Jover were both spotted alongside the manager on the side of the Emirates pitch during the 2-1 win.
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Steve Cooper’s side-kick Steven Reid was also caught with the Forest gaffer.
Action should have been taken which would have seen all three assistants shown yellow cards by referee Michael Oliver.
However, SunSport understands Premier League officials missed the incidents as they still get used to implementing the wave of new regulations.
But Stuart Attwell followed on from his no-nonsense performance in the Community Shield – which saw him book Arteta for waving an imaginary card – by brandishing yellows to Marco Silva and one of his coaches in the closing minutes of Fulham’s win at Everton.
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And fans took to Twitter to lament the officials in the Arsenal clash with Nottingham Forest – with Newcastle supporters certain ‘Mad Dog’ Jason Tindall would not get the same lenient treatment.
One said: “Make a mental note of this for when Tindall gets told to sit down, let’s observe together.”
Another wrote: “Two coaches in the technical area. And it was three at some point too. But no yellow cards. NUFC vs Villa later. The moment Jason Tindall puts one foot in, he will be yellow carded. And the pundits will be all over him. Watch this space.”
A third added: “How have Arsenal got three people in the technical area and not a word has been said?”
And a fourth commented: “The technical area rule is an absolute farce.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
