Arsenal have been fined £65,000 by the Football Association (FA) for failing to control their players following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card during their 2-1 victory against Wolves on January 25.
The Gunners admitted to the FA charge, which cited their failure to ensure players did not behave in an improper manner after Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card for a foul on Matt Doherty just before halftime. Several Arsenal players surrounded referee Michael Oliver in protest, though his decision was upheld by VAR official Darren England.
Arsenal later had the decision and three-match ban overturned on appeal.
Now, the FA have confirmed that Arsenal have been fined £65,000 for for their players behaving in an ‘improper way’ when Lewis-Skelly was sent off.
A report read: ‘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.
‘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.’
In his extraordinary incident report, Oliver wrote: ‘Following the 43rd minute dismissal, a number of Arsenal players surrounded myself to protest at the decision.’
Arsenal, meanwhile, argued: ‘The wrongful nature of the MLS’s (Lewis-Skelly) dismissal explains why the AFC players justifiably wanted to speak to the referee and for him to reconsider his decision
‘The players were understandably emotional following the Incident, which explains their actions. The AFC players were civil and not aggressive.
They were not gesticulating or accusatory. They did not behave in a way which was offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative.
‘The AFC players simply wanted the referee to reconsider the decision and to find out what the outcome would be after any VAR review.’
Other points included Gabriel being the ‘main representative’ and mostly having a hand behind his back, and that the decision could have impacted their season.
Arsenal did, however, admit the charge.