Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was misinterpreted by the FA for one of the comments he made after the defeat to Newcastle in November. The Spaniard wrote a letter of defence after he was charged with misconduct, an alleged offence he has now been cleared of.
Arteta fumed at the decision to award Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park on November 4. The 41-year-old felt there was more than enough evidence to disallow the goal through the intervention of VAR.
Arteta let loose at the officials during his post-match media duties. He claimed the decision was “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.
The FA later charged the 41-year-old, alleging his comments “constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.” An independent regulatory commission has today released a statement confirming that the charge has not been proven and Arteta will face no punishment.
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The FA have also released detailed written reasons for the outcome. Section 12 reveals aspects of a defence letter written by Arteta and sent to the FA on November 13.
Section 12d says that Arteta claimed his use of the word “disgrace” was misinterpreted. It has a similar spelling to a word in his native Spanish but not with the same connotations.
Section 12d reads: “That the word ‘disgrace’ used by MA [Mikel Arteta] in the Interviews ‘has a very similar spelling and pronunciation to the Spanish ‘desgracia’ … the Spanish word has connotations of misfortune, tragedy or bad luck rather than the connotations of the English equivalent which suggest contempt, dishonour or disrespect. While the English meaning may lead to interpretations of abuse or insult, this was not the intended meaning of the Comments’.”
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Arteta and Arsenal ended the letter by emphasising the need for an improvement in standards of officiating. Part of section 13 reads: “With time to step back following the Match [Arteta] has spoken rationally and reasonably about the Comments and fully explained the context in which these should be considered.
“As well as underlining his respect for the match officials and for the FA and his desire to follow all applicable rules, [Arteta] has also emphasised his ongoing commitment to the improvement of standards with the aim of ensuring that any similar incidents are dealt with as efficiently and accurately as possible.”
Arteta risked a fine and a touchline ban for his comments. But he learnt on Wednesday that he will avoid any punishment.
He has already missed one match this season, having to watch the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa from the stands after receiving a third yellow card of the campaign in the dramatic late win at Luton.
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