Gunners Face Disciplinary Action Despite Successful Appeal of Suspension
The Football Association (FA) has charged Arsenal for failing to control their players following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card last weekend. While the club successfully appealed the teenager’s three-match suspension, they now face scrutiny over the conduct of their players in the immediate aftermath of the decision.
Several Arsenal players were seen surrounding referee Michael Oliver after the sending-off, and the FA alleges the club did not do enough to prevent improper behavior. Arsenal has until Monday, February 3, to respond to the charge—just two days before their League Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United. They have the option to accept or contest the charge and can request a personal hearing if needed.
A Familiar Issue for Arsenal
This is not the first time Arsenal has faced disciplinary action for their players’ reactions to refereeing decisions. In January 2023, the club was fined £40,000 for failing to control their players during a heated clash with Newcastle. The timing of that sanction—just three days after their deadline to respond—suggests a resolution to this latest charge could come before their crucial semi-final match against the Magpies.
Arsenal’s Successful Appeal and FA Review
The charge comes just as written reasons for Lewis-Skelly’s overturned suspension were made public. In their appeal, Arsenal argued that the red card was excessive, citing similar incidents involving Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes—both of whom had their suspensions rescinded after appeals.
To support their case, the club provided multiple video angles of the challenge, both in real-time and slow motion, as well as footage of a similar foul by Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes, who was only given a second yellow card in the same match.
After reviewing the evidence, an independent regulatory commission unanimously agreed that Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal was a clear refereeing error. While they acknowledged that the challenge warranted a foul, they ruled it did not meet the criteria for serious foul play.
Now, Arsenal must turn their attention to responding to the FA charge, while also preparing for their upcoming fixtures. Whether the club faces further sanctions remains to be seen, but the incident has once again sparked debate over player reactions and referee decision-making in English football.
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