Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has called for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to receive a touchline ban following his furious rant at the officiating during his side’s defeat to Newcastle. The Spanish coach was charged by the FA on Thursday evening after describing the decision not to disallow Anthony Gordon’s goal as “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.
Arteta has until Tuesday to respond to the charge as the governing body’s statement in part read: “It’s alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.”
The club supported Arteta but the Arsenal boss could receive a fine or touchline ban for his views, something that O’Hara believes would be fair. “I think he’s out of order,” the ex-Spurs man told talkSPORT.
“The decision he is moaning about, we all know the referees can have a bit of a stinker and VAR has let teams down but (Wolves boss) Gary O’Neil should be the one who is coming out and making statements because he has had some howlers.
“That decision that went against him (Arteta) against Newcastle, I have looked at it back on the Sky Sports stuff when they have looked at it and gone through the process. It wasn’t conclusive that the ball was out, it wasn’t a clear and obvious error that it was a foul on Gabriel, it’s a goal.
“Alright it took time, it took some few minutes and that’s frustrating and they can improve that to make things quicker but the decision was right. For him to come out and slaughter the referees when referees are taking enough stick at the moment, it just puts more pressure on referees and more stick coming their way. I think he is out of order, I think he deserves a ban.”
Gordon scored the only goal of the game earlier this month after three VAR checks to determine whether the ball had gone out of play, a foul on Gabriel and an offside, which all came back in Newcastle’s favour.
Arteta lambasted the officiating and his comments could now land him in hot water with the FA following calls from O’Hara and others for a touchline ban. “I have to be here now to say it is not acceptable,” Arteta said after the game.
“We didn’t deserve to lose the match. We lose the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. A disgrace. That’s what it is – a disgrace. You cannot imagine the amount of messages I got saying this cannot continue. I am wasting my time. We are wasting our time. I don’t want to be in the hands of people.”
