The Football Association announcement that players who manhandle officials will be handed an automatic twelve-match ban has been broadly welcomed across the soccer spectrum.

Batson, deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, also believes the move should be applauded.

But he thinks as well that if referees rekindle the art of conversation, potential flashpoints can be avoided.

"We can't have referees being physically abused and though the incidents which have occurred recently are isolated, they are still regrettable," he said.

"The Di Canio incident is an extreme example of what can happen," said Batson.

"But there is a world of difference between that and just putting your hand on someone's shoulder in order to make a point.

"Unless the FA are sensible about this, players could run the risk of a lengthy ban for doing not a lot.

"A lot of discussion went into this area between all the parties involved.

Hopefully there will be an improvement because of the penalties which have been brought in, but every case has to be treated entirely on its merits."