Mikel Arteta is CHARGED by the FA for his comments following Arsenal’s loss to Newcastle – after the Gunners boss claimed it was ‘an absolute disgrace’ VAR didn’t rule out Anthony Gordon’s winning goal
- Arsenal lost 1-0 to Newcastle in a hugely controversial match earlier this month
- Anthony Gordon’s winner faced three lengthy VAR checks and infuriated Arteta
- Aaron Ramsdale’s father has every right to support his son: It all starts
Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association over comments he made after Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle earlier this month.
The Gunners boss branded VAR’s decision not to rule out Anthony Gordon’s goal in his side’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park ‘an absolute disgrace’.
The match was extremely controversial, with Gordon’s winner for the hosts only awarded after three lengthy VAR checks, while both Bruno Guimaraes and Kai Havertz could have seen red for bad challenges.
Arteta lost his post-match match and also insisted the technology’s performance was ‘shameful’ and made him ‘sick’.
An FA statement said: ‘Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments he made in media interviews following Arsenal’s Premier League match against Newcastle on Saturday, November 4.
Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association over comments he made after Arsenal’s highly controversial 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park earlier this month
Arteta labeled VAR’s decision not to rule out Anthony Gordon’s goal ‘an absolute disgrace’
‘It is alleged that his comments constitute misconduct because they are insulting to the match officials and/or are prejudicial to the match and/or bring the match into disrepute.’
Regarding Gordon’s winner, VAR debated for four minutes as he checked whether the ball had initially gone out of play by Joe Willock’s cross, whether Gabriel had been fouled by Joelinton and whether Gordon was offside.
Officials had to review three separate incidents before deciding to award Gordon’s goal
Stockley Park’s Chiefs ultimately decided no fouls had been committed when they awarded the goal, angering Arsenal boss Arteta at his post-match press conference.
He had said: ‘How on earth did this goal stand? It’s unbelievable. I am ashamed. It is an absolute shame that this is allowed. It is not a goal for many reasons.
“It’s so hard to compete at this level. This is nowhere near the (referee) level to describe this as the best competition in the world. I feel sick to be a part of this.”
Arteta added in his post-match interview with Sky Sports: ‘The question is: it’s not a goal, it’s simple. Before a goal there are certainly things that are not allowed in football.
‘I have to stand here and explain that we lost three points. There’s too much at stake. It’s humiliating.
‘It’s unbelievable how the players fought against this team, it makes me sick. I feel sick to be a part of this.”
The club then backed Arteta’s words in the statement the next day when they struck ‘more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors’.
The statement also added: ‘The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, who all deserve better.
‘PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) must urgently address the standard of conduct and focus on action that distracts us all from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and excuses.’
Arteta has until Tuesday to respond to the charges.
