Arsenal have been handed a hefty £65,000 fine for their players’ reaction to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal during their Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
The young defender was given a straight red card shortly before half-time after tripping Matt Doherty in what was deemed a “serious foul play” incident. Expecting only a yellow card, Lewis-Skelly was instead sent off for what was perceived as a dangerous challenge that made contact with Doherty’s leg above the ankle.
The decision caused immediate frustration among the Arsenal squad, with as many as nine players swarming referee Michael Oliver in protest. Despite the fact that the red card was later overturned, the club was still charged with misconduct due to their players’ behavior.
FA imposes heavy penalty
In an official statement, the Football Association confirmed the fine and outlined the reasons behind the disciplinary action.
“An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a £65,000 fine on Arsenal in relation to the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 25 January,” the FA announced.
“It was alleged that Arsenal failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way around the 43rd minute, and the club subsequently admitted to this charge.”
The financial penalty is significantly higher than the standard £20,000 fine typically given for such incidents. The severity of the punishment was influenced by the number of players involved in the protest and the length of time they spent confronting the referee.
Repeated offenses factor into decision
One of the key reasons for the increased fine was Arsenal’s disciplinary history. Since the start of 2022, the club has violated this rule six times, with five separate breaches occurring between January 2022 and February 2023.
However, Arsenal had shown signs of improvement, managing to go nearly a full year without a similar offense. This recent positive trend worked in their favor and likely prevented an even harsher financial penalty.
Despite the red card being rescinded, the FA’s decision serves as a reminder that improper conduct towards match officials will not be tolerated. Arsenal will now have to ensure better discipline on the pitch to avoid further sanctions in the future.
