Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has recently defended his right to voice out criticism on refereeing decisions that he deems unjust. This comes in the wake of a controversial decision made by referee Michael Oliver during Arsenal's match against Wolves.
In the said match, Oliver sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal – a decision that was later overturned by the Football Association. Following this incident, Oliver has been subjected to death threats and abuse. However, he will not be officiating Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Manchester City scheduled for 2nd February.
Accusations of inflaming situations
Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender and now sports commentator, accused Arsenal of "inflaming the situation" regarding certain refereeing decisions earlier this week. Some fans have even claimed corruption against their side in response to these contentious decisions.
Arteta responded to these allegations stating that it is within his rights as a team manager to express dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions he believes are unfair or incorrect. When asked if he believes Arsenal is being refereed in the same way as every other team.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said:
"For sure, and we all have to respect… the right channels, and the right communication with the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) or someone individual or the Premier League will continue to go on."
He stressed the importance of constructive communication aimed at improving officiated decisions..
The role of referees in football matches often comes under scrutiny due to their significant influence on game outcomes. While some may argue that criticism towards referees can lead to unnecessary hostility or biasness; others like Arteta believe it is essential for maintaining fairness in the sport.
