Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa charged by FA over Man Utd referee comments

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa charged by FA over Man Utd referee comments Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association following his comments about refereeing after the 1-1 draw with Manchester United. The charge relates to remarks made by Arbeloa during a post-match interview following the Premier League meeting at Craven Cottage on September 20. The FA alleges that the Spaniard acted improperly by making comments which implied bias and/or questioned the integrity of a match official. Arbeloa has until Thursday, October 1 to respond to the charge, which has not yet been proven. His frustration followed a dramatic finish in which Matheus Cunha scored a deflected equaliser for United in the 89th minute after Fulham had led through a Lisandro Martinez own goal. Arbeloa was particularly unhappy about a free-kick awarded to United just 35 seconds before Cunha’s goal following Cesar Palacios’ challenge on Harry Maguire. Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, the former Real Madrid coach complained that “every decision” had gone United’s way. Arbeloa then connected the officiating to United’s controversial defeat by Manchester City a week earlier, when Erling Haaland’s winner was incorrectly allowed to stand. He claimed he had anticipated that officials would not allow United to lose at Craven Cottage following the fallout from that derby decision. Those comments have now prompted formal disciplinary action from the FA. Arbeloa appeared to recognise the potential consequences later in his post-match press conference, where he attempted to move away from discussing the officials. He referenced his English when explaining his earlier remarks and said it would be better to remain calm and focus on Fulham’s performance. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender took charge at Fulham during the summer after leaving the Spanish giants. His side have endured a difficult beginning to the Premier League campaign, with the United draw leaving Fulham without a victory from their opening five league fixtures. The FA has previously sanctioned managers for post-match comments considered to question the integrity or impartiality of officials. Former Fulham boss Marco Silva received a one-match touchline suspension and £90,000 fine earlier this year after admitting a similar misconduct charge relating to comments about a referee. Arbeloa must now decide whether to admit or contest the allegation before the FA determines the next stage of the disciplinary process.