The Rational Ref | Why pointless fines from FA send message that abusing refs is OK
No wonder the likes of Jose Mourinho and Alan Pardew continue to blast officials when there is no genuine disincentive for them not to do so

It is painfully obvious that competition organisers like the FA have no clue whatsoever in punishing offenders. The feeble fines and suspensions meted out in soccer make a mockery of the whole disciplinary system. They also offer a glimpse of our societal values that help shape what is considered unacceptable behaviour.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew are two examples of serial offenders who abuse match officials. Although the disciplinary sanctions handed down to them are consistently too little too late, the social messages are nevertheless fascinating and meaningful.
Mourinho is contesting the FA's charge of misconduct in the fallout of his side's loss to Sunderland, which ended his record-breaking non-losing home streak of 77 matches. Since Mourinho is evidently guilty, his frivolous appeal only serves to delay the charge's conclusion. Also, Mourinho has already been sent from the technical area twice this season and received fines of £8,000 (HK$105,000) apiece.
The failure to effectively discipline offenders encourages others to believe that delinquent behaviour, specifically towards match officials, is acceptable at all levels of the game
Pardew has just finished serving a seven-match ban, three of which barred him from the stadium. The FA also fined him £60,000. But this level of seriousness was based on the fact that Pardew attempted to headbutt a player, rather than for an altercation with a match official. When Pardew shoved a linesman last season, the FA only penalised him with a two-match touchline ban and £20,000.
Furthermore, managers brazenly ignore the FA's punishments and simply circumvent touchline bans by using mobile phones to communicate with their teams while banned.
The lesson from cricket, where England captain Stuart Broad recently received a fine equivalent to 15 per cent of his match fees for criticising the umpire, makes slightly more sense. Assuming EPL managers receive £100,000 per week, this would mean Mourinho being initially fined £15,000 (instead of £8,000).
Even this pales in comparison to what clubs dish out to misbehaving players. For example, both Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers did not hesitate in fining Carlos Tevez and Joey Barton respectively six weeks' wages for gross misconduct.
The failure to effectively discipline offenders encourages others to believe that delinquent behaviour, specifically towards match officials, is acceptable at all levels of the game.