Abuse of match officials, surrounding referees, unacceptable criticism of referees and trying to get opponents sanctioned will all be targeted by the new campaign.

There have been a number of high-profile incidents this season, most recently when Sir Alex Ferguson received a five-match touchline ban for his television outburst at referee Martin Atkinson following Manchester United's defeat at Chelsea.

The announcement follows a meeting of club chairmen who unanimously today decided to launch a new campaign.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The clubs unanimously backed the idea that at the start of next season we want to raise the bar, we want to improve behaviour.

"I think we do need to concentrate on the player and manager relationship with the referee this time, as every one of us knows that there have been elements of unacceptable behaviour.

"As to what we think is unacceptable; it's vitriolic abuse towards match officials and that has on occasions gone unpunished; the surrounding of referees is unacceptable; the goading of referees into trying to get opponents sanctioned we think is unacceptable; and also the undue criticism, where it spills over into questioning the referee's integrity or his honesty is also unacceptable."

Scudamore said the League Managers' Association had already signalled their support.

He added: "We are at a point in the game where we do have to rein back from some of this undue criticism of match officials.

"The debate will come and we will have it in consultation with managers, and remember the managers are also employed by the clubs so the unanimous support of the clubs today is important."

The Premier League will also consult with the Football Association, the Professional Footballers' Association, and then the PGMO body that represents match officials.

Scudamore said that they did not expect perfect behaviour from players but that they had to realise that their being idols carried responsibilities.

"Footballers enjoy a privileged life," he said.

"The contrast between what is happening in their world and what is happening in the rest of Britain, and indeed most of the world, is getting starker.

"Whether it is realistic or not they can't entirely be perfect role models, they are young males and boys can behave badly from time to time.

"But there is a point where extra responsibility comes with the territory.

"There are so many good things about what footballers do, so this is not us demonising them. But the mood is that things could improve."

The league point out there have been some recent improvements and that over the last two seasons bookings in the top flight for dissent have decreased by 20% year on year.