Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) following comments he made about match officials after his side’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United.
The charge stems from remarks made by the Spanish coach during a post-match television interview after the encounter at Craven Cottage on September 20.
The FA alleges that Arbeloa acted improperly by making comments that implied bias and/or questioned the integrity of a match official. He has until Thursday, October 1, to respond to the charge.
The disciplinary action comes after Arbeloa expressed strong frustration with several decisions during the match, particularly a free-kick awarded to Manchester United shortly before Matheus Cunha scored a late equaliser.
Fulham appeared to be heading towards their first Premier League victory under Arbeloa after United defender Lisandro Martínez put the ball into his own net in the 63rd minute.
However, United refused to give up and eventually found an equaliser in the 89th minute when Cunha’s effort took a deflection before beating Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The late goal changed the complexion of the contest and left Arbeloa visibly frustrated.
Speaking after the match, the Fulham manager criticised the number of fouls awarded in United’s favour and singled out a challenge involving Harry Maguire approximately 35 seconds before Cunha’s equaliser.
Arbeloa suggested that the decision was soft and questioned why United appeared to receive favourable calls.
He then connected his frustration to the controversial Manchester derby involving United and Manchester City the previous weekend, saying he believed officials would not allow United to lose at Craven Cottage.
Those comments have now become the basis of the FA’s misconduct charge.
The controversy did not completely overshadow Fulham’s performance, however, as the London club had several opportunities to take control of the match.
Fulham were the more dangerous side for long periods of the first half, with Josh King testing United goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Gonzalo García missing chances that could have given the hosts an early advantage.
Manchester United also came close before the interval, with Bruno Fernandes hitting the post and Cunha seeing another effort deflect onto the woodwork.
After the break, Fulham eventually found the breakthrough. A move involving captain Calvin Bassey created the opportunity, but United’s defensive confusion ended with Martínez inadvertently directing the ball into his own net.
The goal appeared to put Fulham in position to claim a first league victory of the campaign.
United, though, increased the pressure as the match entered its final stages. Cunha eventually produced the decisive moment when his late shot deflected past Leno to rescue a point for Michael Carrick’s side.
Arbeloa later appeared to soften his criticism when speaking at his post-match press conference.
The former Real Madrid coach acknowledged that his comments may not have been expressed clearly because English is not his first language. He subsequently indicated that he preferred to concentrate on his team’s performance rather than continue discussing the officials.
The draw extended Fulham’s difficult start to the Premier League season. After five matches, Arbeloa’s side remained without a league victory, having recorded two draws and three defeats.
Fulham opened the campaign with a 3-2 home defeat against Chelsea before losing 1-0 away to Sunderland. They then suffered another 3-2 defeat at home to Crystal Palace before earning a point against Liverpool and drawing with Manchester United.
For Manchester United, the result provided some relief after a difficult opening stretch. The club had also been involved in a controversial Manchester derby the previous week, adding further attention to the officiating surrounding the Fulham encounter.
Arbeloa must now respond to the FA’s charge by October 1. The charge itself does not represent a finding that he committed misconduct; the disciplinary process will determine what happens next.
The case also brings renewed attention to the FA’s rules concerning comments about match officials. Managers are permitted to criticise decisions, but comments that are considered to imply bias or question an official’s integrity can lead to disciplinary action.
For Arbeloa, the immediate focus will therefore shift from the frustration of the Craven Cottage draw to responding to the FA charge, while he continues his attempt to secure Fulham’s first Premier League victory of the season.
