Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta charged by FA over referee criticism
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association for comments that were insulting towards match officials.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over an explosive video assistant referee (VAR) rant following his side’s controversial loss to Newcastle.
The Spaniard had said that the VAR decision not to disallow Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 1-0 loss at St James’ Park earlier in November was an “absolute disgrace”.
“Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments that he made in media interviews after Arsenal’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday, Nov 4,” said an FA statement on Nov 16.
“It’s alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.”
In the incident, VAR checked to see whether the ball had gone out of play before Joe Willock’s cross, whether Joelinton had fouled Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and whether Gordon had been offside. All three decisions went in Newcastle’s favour, even though the ball appeared to have gone out, while Joelinton clearly pushed Gabriel in the back.
Arteta said after the game: “You have to talk about how the hell did this goal stand up? Incredible. I feel embarrassed... it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed.”
In the aftermath, Arsenal issued a statement the following day saying the club “wholeheartedly” supported the Spaniard, who has until Nov 21 to provide a response to the charge.
Referees body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd chief Howard Webb, however, had said there was no conclusive evidence for VAR to disallow the goal.
“We know the ball is curved, so it can be over-hanging the line and we need evidence it’s out, and we don’t have that here,” he said. “The ball then comes over and Joelinton challenges Gabriel, and it could be a foul...
“The VAR decides that the evidence from the footage isn’t clear enough to intervene with a recommendation for a review for a clear error... The process was actually correct.” AFP, REUTERS
