HEAD coach Luke Williams has revealed that Swindon Town could be hit with a hefty fine and points deduction should it be deemed that they are over-aggressive towards match officials.

Speaking to BBC Wiltshire ahead of Town’s match away at Oldham Athletic on Saturday, Williams made public that both he and the players had been warned over their conduct.

Although he did not name any particular matches or incidents that had warranted the caution, Williams stated that should it be decided that Town over-step the mark again, they will receive a £25,000 fine as well as a three point deduction in League One.

“We have been threatened with a £25,000 fine and three-point deduction because apparently my players are too aggressive and surround the referee too much,” said Williams.

“I have been told that over the course of the last two or three seasons, the players have been too aggressive and we have been too aggressive on the touchline, and the next scenario that we are involved in will potentially cost us a lot of money and a point deduction.

“We are being judged on the events at the club and as far as they are concerned, we set the tone for the players and we set the tone on the touchline.

“Therefore, we as a staff and a club are responsible for the behaviour and we are being told that we are very aggressive and over the top with our display of dissatisfaction and we have tried to rein it in.”

Williams’ revelation came as a result of questioning about his antics on the touchline over the past few weeks.

Sections of the Swindon fanbase have accused Williams of being too passive on the touchline during their recent three-match losing streak in League One, which they were able to rectify against Oldham with a 2-0 success.

However, the Town head coach says that it is wrong to question his passion and stated that he has deliberately kept a check on his emotions in an effort to avoid any possible sanctions for the club.

“I have taken a stance to try to show the officials the respect that they are so desperately craving all the time with the Respect campaign,” added Williams.

“The referees give a presentation every year to the League Managers and tell us that we are too irresponsible and we give them too much of a hard time and our players are too irresponsible and surround the referees.

“I have taken a stance to show the utmost respect, which is incredibly difficult, and I am criticised by our fans for not having a Paolo Di Canio moment and screaming and shouting. All I get is punished for it.

“It’s incredibly difficult to accept when referees give penalties when they are free-kicks, disallow goals that are perfectly legitimate, give free-kicks in key areas that are not free-kicks.

“There’s no apology. From what I can see there, is no accountability for the referees.

“I have to sit in front of the press and explain myself, I have to sit in front of the fans that are disappointed in the job I have done when it goes wrong.

“Nothing from the ref, they just tell us that they didn’t see it or that they don’t want to talk to us about it. No letter in the week, no letter of apology, nothing, zero.

“I will continue to do what I think is right and try to behave in a reserved manner and not fly off the handle at every decision, as tough as that is.

“I will try not to ever use them as an excuse and continue on a path that I think is correct.

“I would expect them to step up and show some level of responsibility and accountability. I don’t think it will happen at all, but I will do what I think is right.

“I have gone down the route of being very aggressive with the fourth official and the referee and it got me nowhere.

“I have gone down the route of telling the players to be more aggressive to get the decision that we deserve, it’s got me nowhere other than a potential fine and a point deduction.”