NEWPORT County AFC boss Michael Flynn is not worried about the introduction of red and yellow cards for managers in the English Football League this season.

The experiment, designed by the International FA Board (IFAB), will see bosses cautioned for offences including throwing or kicking water bottles to show dissent, gesturing in an inflammatory way, delaying the restart of play, deliberately entering the opposition technical area and sarcastically applauding the referee.

A red card would be handed out for actions such as violent conduct, spitting and stopping the opponent restarting play.

If a manager accumulates four yellow cards they will receive a one-match ban. For eight, it's a two-match ban, for 12 it's a three-match ban and 16 would result in them going to Wembley to sit in front of a Football Association disciplinary panel.

Subsequent fines, if deemed relevant, will be determined by the FA.

But Flynn is not worried about picking up a card.

“I won’t be getting one,” said the Exiles boss. “The respect thing I agree on but when there’s red and yellow cards coming in for what somebody perceives as an act of disrespect when it’s a passionate game then I’m not quite sure about it.

“I don’t know whether they’re trying to take all the passion out of the game.

“But I don’t have to worry about getting a yellow for kicking a water bottle – I’ll probably miss!”

But David Artell, who brings his Crewe Alexandra side to Rodney Parade to take on County this weekend, says he will improve his touchline behaviour this season.

Artell has admitted that his antics in – and occasionally out of – the technical area have left something to be desired since taking the helm in January 2017.

Regular disputes with fourth officials, assistant referees and the men in the middle themselves have caught the eye, as have a couple of memorable sprints to corner flags to celebrate last-gasp equalisers.

But now new rules are in place Artell has vowed to be calmer.

He said: "One area for improvement for me as a manager is my touchline behaviour, it can be politely described as ‘erratic’ which is putting it mildly.

"At times it doesn’t help the players, and I need to help the players that’s my job. Me being like an orangutan down the touchline and getting irate, letting my emotions get the better of me, isn’t going to do that.

"It doesn’t help when you get referees making ridiculous decisions but I need to make sure I remain focused on the game and don’t let the referee or linesman affect my thinking."

Former Exiles manager John Sheridan, who was sacked by Notts County following an expletive-laden rant at officials in 2016, says he will also be a calmer figure on the touchline.

The new Carlisle United manager said of the new initiative: "It won't bother me, I won't be getting any yellow cards – I might get a couple of reds though!

"In seriousness, yeah, I've been involved in things, but as you get older you calm down.

"Everything is heat of the moment when you're out there, if you're a bit of a winner, and you see things and disagree with them.

"You've just got to do it in the right way. Even the best managers in the world go off their heads, don't they?

"I don't think [the new rule] is a bad thing. It just keeps you in check, on your toes and you know that if you go over the top you're going to get punished."