Fulham boss Arbeloa charged by FA after accusing referees of favouring Manchester United

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after publicly accusing match officials of bias in favour of Manchester United during the two clubs’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Craven Cottage on 20 September.

Fulham, who started the afternoon bottom of the Premier League, led through a first-half goal before United rescued a point when Matheus Cunha’s deflected effort levelled the score in the 89th minute. Arbeloa’s anger centred on a free-kick awarded to United for a foul on Harry Maguire on the halfway line just 35 seconds before the equaliser — a decision he felt was pivotal to the outcome.

The Spaniard went further in his post-match comments, linking the officiating to the Manchester derby the previous weekend, in which Erling Haaland’s goal was allowed to stand despite City’s Enzo Fernandez appearing to interfere from an offside position. Arbeloa suggested referees were compensating United for that perceived injustice by not allowing them to lose at Fulham.

The FA’s misconduct charge relates to Arbeloa’s public comments about the officials rather than any on-pitch conduct. The former Real Madrid head coach has not yet responded publicly to the charge.