New Delhi: Premier League side Arsenal have been hit with a massive fine for failing to control their players following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card in last month’s Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Mikel Arteta’s side have been fined £65,000 by the Football Association (FA) for his players’ reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal in their 1-0 win.
The decision, which saw the 18-year-old sent off just before halftime, sparked furious protests from the Arsenal squad, leading to the club’s latest charge for misconduct. Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal came in the 43rd minute when referee Michael Oliver deemed his challenge on Matt Doherty as “serious foul play.” The young defender appeared to trip the Wolves full-back to prevent a counterattack, expecting only a yellow card.
However, Oliver shocked the Arsenal players by issuing a straight red, citing that Lewis-Skelly had caught Doherty high above the ankle. The decision enraged Arsenal’s squad, with as many as nine players swarming the referee in protest. Despite their frustration, VAR official Darren England upheld Oliver’s call, and Lewis-Skelly was forced to leave the pitch.
Although the decision was overturned by the FA after a successful appeal by the club, clearing the teenager of any wrongdoing, the fine has been imposed on the North London side by the FA for crowding the referee in protest. They were charged with failing to ensure that their players “did not behave in an improper manner” and were hit by the hefty find following a ruling by an independent regulatory commission.
FA Takes Strong Stance Against Arsenal’s Conduct
Arsenal have been fined £65,000 for failing to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way during their Premier League match at Wolves.
The fine has been imposed by an Independent Regulatory Commission and relates to the 43rd minute when Myles Lewis-Skelly was… pic.twitter.com/wGtzBFYrrC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 17, 2025
The FA’s statement confirmed that Arsenal admitted to the charge, which significantly increased the financial penalty. Typically, clubs found guilty of similar breaches receive a £20,000 fine. However, Arsenal’s punishment was over three times higher due to multiple factors, including the number of players involved in the protest and the prolonged nature of their complaints.
Another key reason for the heavy fine was Arsenal’s repeated history of misconduct. This marked their sixth breach of the rule since the start of 2022, with five previous incidents occurring between January 2022 and February 2023. The FA acknowledged that Arsenal had shown recent disciplinary improvement, having avoided such incidents for almost a year, which prevented an even harsher penalty.
Adding to the controversy, after the match, referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) revealed that referee Michael Oliver and his family had received threats and abuse on social media. Authorities launched an investigation into the online harassment, further highlighting the intense scrutiny surrounding officiating decisions in the Premier League.
Despite Arsenal’s frustration with the initial call, the club now faces a significant financial setback due to their players’ reaction. The incident serves as a reminder of the FA’s firm stance on player conduct, with repeated breaches leading to increasingly severe consequences. As Arsenal continue their fight for silverware this season, Mikel Arteta’s side will need to ensure their passion on the pitch does not result in further disciplinary setbacks.
Premier League title chasers Arsenal have been slapped with a heavy fine following their protests over Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card in the club’s narrow win against Wolves last month. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
