Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces the prospect of a touchline ban in the Premier League after being charged for his comments criticizing the standard of refereeing following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle. This comes on the heels of a VAR decision that allowed Newcastle’s winning goal to stand, a decision Arteta labeled as “embarrassing” and a “disgrace.”
The Football Association (FA) has charged Arteta with a breach of FA Rule E3.1, deeming his comments “insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.” Jurgen Klopp faced a similar charge for criticizing referee Paul Tierney in April, though Klopp’s charge included implications of bias and questioning the referee’s integrity.
Arteta’s potential punishment could include a fine or a ban, depending on whether he admits the charge or if it is proven by an independent regulatory commission. Klopp was fined £75,000 and banned for two games, with the second game suspended until the end of the season.
The nature and intensity of Arteta’s language, which was critical of referees in general, will likely be reviewed by the independent panel. The FA has not sanctioned Arsenal as a club, placing the responsibility squarely on Arteta.
In a peculiar move, Arsenal released a statement backing Arteta “wholeheartedly” after the Newcastle defeat and calling for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to address the officiating standard urgently. However, the FA has singled out Arteta as the sole offender in this instance, leaving him potentially facing disciplinary action. The Times’ Martyn Ziegler suggests that Arteta is likely to face either a fine or a ban depending on the outcome of the charge.
Arteta’s situation is reminiscent of Klopp’s earlier this year, highlighting the scrutiny managers face for their comments about officiating. As the FA looks to maintain discipline and respect within the sport, Arteta awaits the decision of the independent regulatory commission, which will determine the extent of his punishment.