23 November 2023 , 17:48
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Mikel Arteta will defend himself against an FA charge with a growing feeling that Arsenal are being singled out.
Gunners boss Arteta has until Friday to respond to the Football Association following his referee rant after Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle on November 4. It is almost certain that Arteta will be given a personal hearing within the next ten days at which he could be hit with a touchline ban or heavy punishment.
But that comes despite Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi escaping any punishment for admitting he dislikes “80 per cent of England’s referees” after his team drew with Sheffield United. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino also went unpunished despite storming onto the pitch to confront referee Anthony Taylor after his team’s 4-4 draw with Manchester City earlier this month.
Arsenal issued a club statement to offer support to Arteta and the FA want to stop clubs from publicly criticising referees. Arsenal were the second club to issue a club statement this season after Liverpool did the same after Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly ruled out for offside at Tottenham earlier in the campaign.
They see that as a worrying trend but, despite writing to Arsenal as well as Arteta for their observations, did not charge the club. It is now Arteta facing potential punishment even though his comments - as he branded the officials a “disgrace and embarrassing” - did not accuse the referee or VAR of any bias or question their integrity.
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Arteta has the full support of Arsenal (PA)Even though his comments were strong, Arsenal do not feel he crossed a line and was responding to questions in repeated TV and radio interviews and a post-match press conference. Arteta had the full support of the club to say what he said after Newcastle striker Anthony Gordon’s winner was allowed to stand after THREE VAR checks.
The FA Rule E3.1 about media comments does not have a set sanction but makes it clear managers and players cannot make “personally offensive, prolonged, or particularly unreasonable” remarks.
Mauricio Pochettino stormed onto the pitch after Chelsea's 4-4 draw with Manchester City (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)Arteta made his remarks in a string of interviews but the only reason they were prolonged was because he is expected to carry out endless post-match media responsibilities in line with Premier League rules.
The FA clearly set out stricter rules for this season regarding the way managers and club officials talk to referees, waving imaginary yellow cards and also players and bosses surrounding and confronting refs during games.
FA chiefs have been at pains to stress there has been no change, tightening or clampdown in the rules midseason which would be grossly unfair.
But if they are taking a new stand against clubs and their behaviour then it is potentially Arteta who has been caught in the crossfire.
Meanwhile, other managers have been let off despite similar flare-ups but their clubs have not got involved.