By Adegboyega Adeleye
Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association over comments he made after his side’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
According to ESPN, Arbeloa claimed after the Premier League match that officials would “not let Manchester United lose”, prompting the FA to allege that his comments implied bias and questioned the integrity of a match official.
Manchester United salvaged a point at Craven Cottage on September 20 when Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute effort took a deflection and found the net.
Arbeloa, who took charge of Fulham in the summer, criticised the officiating during his post-match television interview.
“The referee gave all fouls for them,” Arbeloa said, before referring to the controversial VAR decision from Manchester City’s derby against United.
“I knew after the game against Man City that they [would not] let Manchester United lose here,” he added.
The FA charge alleges that Arbeloa “acted in an improper manner” by making comments in a post-match interview that implied bias and/or questioned the integrity of a match official.
Arbeloa has until Thursday to respond to the charge.
The Spaniard is yet to win a Premier League game since taking over at Fulham, with the draw against United coming after a difficult start to the campaign.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have won just one of their opening five Premier League matches.
Michael Carrick’s side beat Ipswich Town but lost to Hull City and Manchester City, while they also drew with Everton and Fulham.
The FA has previously taken disciplinary action against Fulham managers over post-match comments concerning match officials. Former Fulham boss Marco Silva was sanctioned earlier this year after comments following a Premier League match against West Ham United were deemed to imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official.
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