ARSENAL have been hit with a £65,000 fine after “failing to ensure players did not behave in an improper way” in the wake of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against Wolves last month.
The Gunners were left furious when Myles Lewis-Skelly received a straight red card at Molineux for a cynical foul on Matt Doherty on January 25.
At least eight players subsequently surrounded referee Michael Oliver to appeal the decision just before half-time.
And they were charged for the incident five days later.
Now, over three weeks on from the match, the Gunners have received their punishment.
A statement from the FA read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a £65,000 fine on Arsenal in relation to the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 25 January.
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“It was alleged that Arsenal failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way around the 43rd minute, and the club subsequently admitted to this charge.”
The FA revealed that Oliver’s incident report was used as evidence when deciding on the punishment.
Oliver wrote: “Following the 43rd minute dismissal, a number of
Arsenal players surrounded myself to protest at the decision.”
Video clips of the incident were also used in the process.
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In addition, Arsenal admitted to the charge with a reply form accompanied by a letter.
The Gunners “accepted that a number of players spoke to the referee in the aftermath” of Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal.
They also claimed “the wrongful nature of the dismissal explains why the AFC players justifiably wanted to speak to the referee.”
Furthermore, the letter from Arsenal insisted that players were “understandably emotional” but “not aggressive” and “did not behave in a way which was offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative” towards Oliver.
Mikel Arteta was left “fuming” as a result of the red card despite the 1-0 win over Wolves.
The controversial decision was swiftly overturned just three days after the match following an appeal.
Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal was deemed to be “wrongful” and his three-game suspension was rescinded.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
