Arsenal handed £65K fine for reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s red card

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Arsenal have been fined for failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in a proper manner during last month’s 1-0 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arsenal has been fined £65,000 by the Football Association (FA) for their reaction to the controversial red card of academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly during their match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The incident occurred on January 25, during a tense 1-0 victory for Arsenal, thanks to a goal by Riccardo Calafiori.

The controversy began when Lewis-Skelly was sent off for a challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty, which was initially deemed serious foul play by referee Michael Oliver. The decision was upheld by VAR, but Arsenal successfully appealed the red card, which was later overturned. Despite this, the club was charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 for failing to ensure their players acted properly.

In the aftermath of the red card, several Arsenal players surrounded referee Michael Oliver, leading to allegations of improper conduct. The FA’s independent regulatory commission found that Arsenal failed to control their players, who swarmed around Oliver, creating a highly charged and aggressive environment. The commission emphasized that while controversial decisions are part of football, it is crucial for clubs to ensure their players accept these decisions gracefully.

Arsenal admitted to the charge and accepted the fine, which is the latest in a series of rule breaches by the club. Since the start of 2022, Arsenal has committed six E20 rule breaches, with fines ranging from £20,000 to £40,000 for various incidents.

The FA’s statement highlighted the seriousness of the misconduct, noting the number of players involved, their close proximity to the referee, and the failure to disperse when instructed. Despite the red card being overturned, the FA maintained that this did not justify the players’ reaction.