The Football Association (FA) is facing calls to impose a touchline ban on Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta following his remarks after his team’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
The match featured a contentious goal by Anthony Gordon, subject to three VAR checks that upheld the on-field decision, prompting Arteta to label the decision as an “absolute disgrace.”
Expressing his frustration, Arteta questioned the legitimacy of the goal, stating, “How the hell this goal stands? It’s incredible, and I feel embarrassed. It’s an absolute disgrace that this goal stood. It’s not a goal, for many reasons, it’s not a goal.
” Subsequently, the FA charged Arteta with a breach of FA Rule E3.1, citing his comments as constituting misconduct by being insulting towards match officials, detrimental to the game, and bringing the game into disrepute.
Despite the charge, talkSPORT pundit and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara is advocating for more than just a fine; he believes Arteta deserves a touchline ban for his conduct, which he deems “out of order.” O’Hara contends that Arteta’s critique of the decision is unwarranted, highlighting the lack of conclusive evidence to overturn the goal. He suggests that Arteta’s comments add undue pressure on referees who are already under scrutiny.
O’Hara argues that the decision, though delayed, was ultimately correct, emphasizing the need for fair assessments and refraining from unwarranted criticism.
He points out that other managers, like Wolves’ Gary O’Neil, who may have faced questionable decisions, have not publicly criticized referees to the same extent.
The call for a touchline ban reflects concerns about maintaining respect for match officials and avoiding unnecessary pressure on referees. O’Hara’s perspective underscores the delicate balance between expressing frustration and potentially exacerbating the challenges faced by referees.
As the FA reviews Arteta’s case, the football community awaits a decision that could have implications not only for the Arsenal coach but also for the broader discourse surrounding managerial conduct and its impact on the integrity of the game.
