After a series of positive meetings between Hackett and the League Managers Association (LMA) and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the season kicks off this weekend with a consensus that players and managers are all aware of their vital roles in maintaining a positive image of football.

Referees have been instructed that a player who provokes a direct confrontation with a match official using offensive, insulting or abusive language will be sent off. They have also been instructed to take stronger action on mass confrontations between players by identifying and punishing the instigators and any player whose actions escalate or inflame the situation.

Keith Hackett said: "Over the past year we have forged a much closer working relationship with the LMA and PFA. This has helped to get to where we are – everyone across football agrees that we need to avoid the relatively few but high profile incidents that have detracted from the game in the past.

"Adherence to the laws this season will mean those who do transgress will be dealt with in a firm fashion. We do not want to see the competitive and passionate side taken out of our game. But there needs to an understanding of the need to maintain that positive image.

"We have a shared responsibility to address this issue. We have done so, and I am delighted with the co-operation and common sense of purpose that exists between the various bodies involved in the discussions. The feedback I have had from players and managers alike has been uniformly positive."

Information to all levels of the game has been produced by the PFA – new posters reminding players of their position as role-models and warning them of the consequences of bad behaviour.

And pre-season LMA managers’ meetings outlined the guidance given to referees and the need for managers to play their part in instructing their players.