Ex-Premier League referee ‘worried’ about Arsenal ‘agenda’ as FA take action
Keith Hackett has suggested Arsenal fans are right to be concerned about an “agenda” after two Football Association charges in quick succession.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed other Premier League sides are getting away with surrounding referees on a regular basis.
The FA confirmed via Twitter on Friday (13 January) that Arsenal have been slapped with a £40,000 fine after failing to control their players during the 0-0 draw against Newcastle earlier this month (3 January).
Gunners stars had surrounded referee Andy Madley after seeing two second-half appeals for a penalty turned down.
Arsenal have since been slapped with another separate charge for the same offence after surrounding the referee during their FA Cup win over Oxford on 9 January.
Fellow Premier League side Fulham have also been charged with failing to control their players during their win over Chelsea last week (12 January).
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “The worry for me is that I’ve seen lots of incidents from other clubs of a similar nature.
“These haven’t been reported, or not been charged.
“From a fan point of view, if I’m Arsenal, I can see where they’re coming from when they say there’s an agenda.
“You have to be consistent across every game.
“We are seeing players from clubs all over the Premier League surrounding the referee.
“Three or more players is the trigger point for the referee reporting the incident, and that should lead to a charge for failing to control players.”
In other news, Football Insider updates on last-ditch Mykhaylo Mudryk hijack at Arsenal.