Bradford-based assistant referee Graeme Atkins believes referees' new approach to handling matches is already paying dividends.

The referees are trying to reduce the rash of yellow and red cards, and the new policy has certainly been a success in Bradford City's case.

Only one yellow card has been issued in City's last five matches, and that was Watford's Des Lyttle for dissent in their last match at Valley Parade ten days ago.

Atkins, who is area manager with Bradford Council's Recreation Department, is 'linesman' at lots of Premiership matches, including last Monday's clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Spiralling numbers of red and yellow cards have intensified the spotlight on officials at a time when the microscopic scrutiny of television cameras has highlighted several high-profile blunders.

The number of cautions and sendings-off has dropped in recent weeks, and referee Paul Durkin was widely applauded for his handling of last week's high-octane clash between United and Arsenal.

Durkin controlled the game without brandishing a hatful of cards, and the Old Trafford crowd and a national TV audience were treated to a free-flowing thriller.

It was a fine example by the referee who displayed a balance which is difficult to strike between keeping a fluent contest and maintaining discipline.

Atkins said: "I think Paul Durkin's performance emphasised our initiative by handling a highly-charged game with only one yellow card.

"The players responded to the referee's man management. We are trying to introduce a bit more common sense and not bring out the yellow cards unduly.

"The smaller offences like kicking the ball away and stopping a free kick from being taken are mandatory yellow card offences.

"What we are trying to do is to diffuse situations by common sense and man management."

Incidents over the weekend emphasised the complexity of the problem and Manchester United players, not for the first time, stand accused of bullying officials.

Referee Andy D'Urso was hounded to the touchline at Old Trafford on Saturday after awarding Middlesbrough a penalty, United skipper Roy Keane leading an angry mob of protesters.

Yesterday, he admitted he felt under pressure and feared he was going to be pushed over by the players.

At Stamford Bridge on Sunday referee Graham Poll was in the thick of the action. He dismissed Leicester's Steve Walsh for aiming an elbow at Chris Sutton and sent off Dennis Wise for a second bookable offence in the dying seconds.

The FA, Premier League, Football League, referees, players and managers met in London yesterday in a bid to thrash out refereeing problems.

Other refereeing controversies which have plagued the FA since the turn of the year have included the banning of referee Rob Harris until the end of this month.

The ban followed a bizarre incident at Tranmere last month when he allowed the home side to bring on a substitute after they had a player sent off in an FA Cup tie against Sunderland.

Harris was due to take charge of Bradford City's cup match at Gillingham four days later, but was replaced.

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