Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has avoided a touchline ban after implying officials were biased toward Manchester United in last month’s Premier League draw.
United rescued a point in the 89th minute at Craven Cottage, prompting Arbeloa to say referee Michael Oliver and his officials ‘would not let Manchester United lose’ in his post-match interview.
Arbeloa admitted the FA charge and was subsequently fined £25,000. However, the FA stopped short of imposing a touchline ban and instead issued him with a warning as it was his first offence.
In his immediate post-match comments, Arbeloa could barely contain his anger.
‘Every decision was for them and I knew after the game against Man City that they would not let Man Utd lose, he said on Sky Sports. ‘We deserved a little bit more.
‘We were so, so close. We were a little bit unlucky again. We knew it would be difficult against this big team.
‘We knew what happened last week (United conceding a contentious goal to Manchester City). We have seen what the referee has been doing in all the matches, so it was a difficult game. And we were unlucky.’
Alvaro Arbeloa has yet to win a league game with Fulham, who sit bottom after six games
Fulham argued that there were mitigating circumstances, noting that Arbeloa did not double down on his comments during his post-match press conference, is new to the Premier League and is not a native English speaker.
The former Real Madrid coach is under pressure at Fulham, who sit bottom of the Premier League having failed to win any of their opening six games.
Fulham threw away three points last weekend, conceding twice in the final eight minutes against Ipswich Town.
With Hull City and Coventry City up next, Arbeloa could face the sack if they continue slumping.
