Arsenal fail in appeal against FA sanctions for conduct

Arsenal must pay a £40,000 fine after an independent commission refuted their appeal over an incident in their FA Cup win over Oxford United.

A double for Eddie Nketiah helped fire Mikel Arteta’s men into the fourth round with a 3-0 victory earlier this month.

But Arsenal were subsequently charged by the Football Association (FA) for failing to control their players after they surrounded referee David Coote protesting for a penalty in the first half.

Arsenal appealed the charge but have now seen their appeal turned down, and will have to pay out the financial sanction.

“Arsenal FC has been fined £40,000 after its players surrounded a match official during the FA Cup tie against Oxford United FC on Monday 9 January 2023,” read a statement from the FA.

“Arsenal FC denied an allegation from the FA that the club had failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 34th minute, and the club also requested a hearing.

“An Independent Regulatory Commission subsequently upheld the allegation and imposed the club’s fine.

“Its written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course.”

This is the second financial penalty Arsenal have been hit with in January, having also been fined for their conduct against Newcastle United in a Premier League encounter.

On that occasion, the Gunners were also cited for failing to control their players in response to a no-penalty call from the officials in the closing stages of a 0-0 draw.