Arsenal have been charged over the “improper” conduct of the squad in the aftermath of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week – and Arsenal fans in the football.london comments section have angrily branded the decision to attempt to punish the club as “nonsense”.
Lewis-Skelly was given a straight red card for a tackle on Wolves’ Matt Doherty, that was judged to be a dangerous challenge in the match by Michael Oliver. VAR did not send the referee to review the decision on the pitchside monitor, but Arsenal’s appeal to have Lewis-Skelly’s suspension lifted was successful, with a panel saying that the error was obvious.
Now Arsenal have been charged over the aftermath, where players protested the decision to send Lewis-Skelly off. An FA statement writes: “The club allegedly failed to ensure that its players did not behave in an improper manner around the 43rd minute. Arsenal FC has until Monday, 3 February, provide a response.”
If found guilty, Arsenal will be fined by the FA for failing to control their players during the 1-0 win against Wolves.
Reader Headblock says: “There’s no point in criticising the ref, he’s human and made an error (AGAIN!). That VAR reviewed the tackle from multiple angles and that they regarded the ‘trip’ (The FA’s words at review) as contact with ‘excessive force or brutality’ (Rule 12, FA Handbook) is unbelievable.
“It’s a nonsense that players standing up for their team-mate, in the light of a subsequently proven official’s error, are being penalised. The ref wasn’t handled or threatened in any way. The team made their point as vocally as they could, that he was wrong and potentially costing them points. If it were my business, my livelihood or my reputation, I’d do the same. The FA, PGMOL and the Premier League authorities need to grip on this, and put an end to these endless self-preservation and deflection tactics. It’s not about you, fellas!”
Kingessex writes: “It was an outrageous decision to send the player off for a trip. Oliver brought trouble upon himself. You can understand why players were annoyed. It’s the official that should be fined for gross incompetence.”
SilentEcho says: “What are Arsenal charged for? All the players surrounded the ref protesting against the red card decision. The appeal was upheld proving the ref was wrong. Now the FA charging Arsenal.”
Lanadro writes: “If players, managers etc. can be charged, then ref should be charged too for their errors… everyone is human. Then it is fair.”
On our Facebook page, Richard Collins says: “So, will the FA now look at the Wolves 2nd yellow offence, and overturn it to a straight red, as it obviously was? Of course they won’t.”
Henrik Vestergaard Nielsen writes: “Does the FA want to take all the emotion out of the game? These players have been treated badly again and again, and he does it once again with a totally ridiculous red card. Of course they are upset. None of them beat him or anything like that, they just appealed the wrong and crazy card.”
NormPh Ph says: “Had the call been just and right, would anyone bother to crowd around him? This is passion for the game, and not for him.”
Have your say! Should players and teams be punished for crowding around a referee? Or should the referee be given space to conduct the game? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
