The Southeastern Conference will suspend and fine coaches, players, support personnel and others who publicly criticize officials, the conference recently announced.

The length of suspensions and amounts of fines will be determined by Commissioner Mike Slive.

The conference’s athletics directors voted unanimously to punish those who publicly criticize officials. The vote was supported by the presidents and chancellors of all 12 SEC institutions.

The conference will enforce against the head coach any suspensions and fines for violations made by assistant coaches and other support personnel. The conference office will continue to review officiating calls on specific plays with each institution’s head coach. No public comments will be made.

“There are proper channels available for head coaches to use when communicating officiating concerns to the conference office,” Slive said.