The Football Association (FA) will crack down on clubs whose managers criticise referees following the recent charges against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, according to The Telegraph.
The FA is deeply concerned about Arteta’s comments and the support Arsenal gave him after their controversial defeat against Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon’s contentious winner over the Gunners has led to weeks of debate around VAR and the referees involved.
The FA plans to meet with league representatives and the managers’ association to issue a stern warning regarding potential actions against clubs supporting managers who publicly criticise referees.
This initiative is a direct response to the escalating trend of disrespectful behaviour towards officials. The FA is determined to draw a clear boundary following the contentious incident involving Arsenal.
Statements resembling Arsenal’s explicit backing of Arteta may face a robust response from the governing body.
Arteta labelled the decision to allow Gordon’s contentious winning goal, which survived multiple VAR checks, as a ‘disgrace’ and ’embarrassing’ before saying he was ashamed to be working in the Premier League.
Arsenal released a statement backing their manager’s remarks. The FA wants to curb this behaviour and maintain respect for officials.
The FA officially charged Arteta with a breach of Rule E3.1, alleging that his comments constitute misconduct by being insulting towards match officials, detrimental to the game, and bringing the game into disrepute.
The FA outlined the charges and set a deadline for Arteta to respond in a statement.
“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,” the statement from the FA read.
“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. Mikel Arteta has until Tuesday to provide a response to this charge.”
