Ex-Premier League referee: Arsenal can expect FA charge after controversial Alexandre Lacazette footage analysed
Arsenal can expect an FA charge after more than three players surrounded the referee following Tyrone Mings’ controversial challenge on Bukayo Saka during Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat on Saturday (19 March).
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the way the players surrounded Andrew Madley after his decision to show Mings just a yellow.
Both players went in for a loose ball and Mings won it first before catching Saka’s ankle and drawing blood.
At least six Arsenal players surrounded Madley and it took some time for captain Alexandre Lacazette to get his teammates under control.
And Hackett has claimed “stronger leadership” was needed in the situation.
“In this situation, I’m sure the FA will be taking a look,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Three or more is usually a trigger point in a report by the referee. A lot in these situations depends on how the referee acts. Is the referee going to report it? He has to report it.
“He should do and if he does a charge will come. I think they need a bit of stronger leadership to stop that happening.“
Lacazette is Arsenal’s interim captain ever since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sold to Barcelona in January but is out of contract at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old has not finished a Premier League game this month and Kieran Tierney has been handed the armband when he has been substituted.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Arsenal have been caught up in a ‘very concerning’ sponsor controversy.