Arsenal have found themselves facing a £65,000 fine following a controversial moment in their match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 25.

The Gunners claimed a crucial 1-0 win that day in their battle for the Premier League title, but the match didn’t come without its drama—especially involving a red card incident.

The Red Card Controversy

During the first half, Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card for a tackle on Wolves’ Matt Doherty.

The decision, made by referee Michael Oliver, sparked immediate outrage from the Arsenal players.

Several key figures, including Gabriel and Declan Rice, surrounded the referee, expressing their displeasure with the call.

However, after further review, the decision was overturned.

Despite being reduced to 10 men for a period, Arsenal held on and secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half goal from Riccardo Calafiori.

Wolves also ended the match with 10 men, as Joao Gomes was sent off 20 minutes before the final whistle.

FA Charges Arsenal for Player Behavior

Following the match, the Football Association (FA) charged Arsenal for their players’ actions surrounding the red card incident.

The club was fined £65,000 for “improper behavior” when players protested the decision.

An official report revealed that Arsenal’s players surrounded the referee after the 43rd-minute red card.

The report described how the protest was conducted, with the players arguing that their emotions were high due to the perceived injustice of the red card.

Arsenal’s Response

In their defense, Arsenal argued that the players’ actions were justified.

They claimed that the dismissal of Lewis-Skelly was clearly wrong, which is why the players approached the referee.

The club maintained that the players were civil in their protests, without resorting to aggression, threats, or offensive behavior.

They pointed out that the players simply sought clarification on the referee’s decision, especially after the possibility of a VAR review.

Arsenal also highlighted that Gabriel, who took the lead in speaking with the referee, was not being confrontational.

The club admitted the charge but emphasized that the incident could have a significant impact on their season.

Threats and Abuse Directed at Referee

In a related development, police have launched an investigation into threats and abuse directed at referee Michael Oliver following the match.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) condemned the attacks, expressing their shock and disappointment at the abuse aimed at Oliver and his family.

The PGMOL statement made it clear that no official should be subjected to any form of abuse, especially the level of hostility directed at Oliver.

They confirmed that the police are actively investigating the matter and that they are fully supporting Michael Oliver and those affected by the incidents.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn