MATTEO GUENDOUZI grabbed Neal Maupay’s throat and is likely to be in hot water with the Premier League for breaking new rules.
Both sets of players were involved in handbags at the end of Brighton’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
Matteo Guendouzi grabbed Neal Maupay’s throat at the end of Arsenal’s hot-tempered defeat to BrightonCredit: BT Sport
The incident could now land both men in hot water with the FA for breaking social distancing guidelinesCredit: AFP or licensors
French striker Maupay had earlier been involved in a nasty incident with Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno, with the German seriously injuring himself.
That injury saw a long stoppage and Leno angrily confront the Brighton ace as he was carried off on a stretcher.
In a cruel twist for the visitors it was Maupay who would score a 95th-minute winner for the Seagulls – a minute over the allotted four minutes of added time.
As the full-time whistle blew, a clearly angry Guendouzi confronted Maupay and grabbed him round the throat, sending the striker crumbling to the ground in a heap.
That saw a mass coming together of players from both teams – a breaking new behind-closed-doors rules.
Under new guidelines for lockdown football, players have been told to “Avoid mass confrontations with opponents or match officials” to follow social distancing rules.
It is not entirely clear what punishment the two teams will receive, or if they will simply be reminded of their responsibilities.
Maupay revealed after the game he personally apologised to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for the incident with Leno.
He then aimed a shot at some Arsenal players.
The Brighton forward was heavily criticised by the Arsenal players after a collision with Bernd Leno forced the goalkeeper to be stretchered offCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun
Maupay went on the bag a late winner for the Seagulls as they came from behind to triumph 2-1Credit: Richard Pelham – The Sun
He told BT Sport: “At half-time I went to Mikel Arteta to apologise. I never meant to injure the keeper I just jumped for the ball.
“Some of the Arsenal players need to learn humility sometimes, they were talking a lot and got what they deserved.
“Until the keeper gets the ball you never know what can happen. It’s football there is contact, I am really sorry for him I apologise again and wish him a speedy recovery.”
On his last-gasp winner, which he was clearly delighted with, Maupay added: “I just shoot with my left it is a goal. It is our first win in this new year. I am so happy for the team.”
Arteta also defended Maupay afterwards, saying: “I think it was very unfortunate. I don’t think he wanted to hurt him, it is not looking good. We have to fight and be positive, tomorrow is a different day.
“I think the players that came on today did really well, we did more than enough to win the game comfortably but we leave with zero points again.
“I think this was a very different one to the one against Manchester City, when you give cheap goals like we did in this one you will suffer.”
Injured Bernd Leno rages at Neal Maupay as he gets stretchered off at Brighton
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
