Arsenal Manager's Controversial Comments

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's post-match press conference following Arsenal's loss to Newcastle on Saturday has sparked outrage. Arteta went on a sensational rant, expressing his frustration with the refereeing decisions during the game.

Controversial Moments Leading to Newcastle's Goal

Arteta's complaints stem from three separate moments of controversy in the lead-up to Newcastle's winning goal. The ball appeared to have gone out of play, Joe Willock's challenge was seen as a foul on Gabriel, and there was a tight offside call on Anthony Gordon.

Arsenal's Strong Statement

Arsenal released a statement condemning the level of refereeing in the Premier League and expressing their support for Arteta's frustrations. However, this statement has drawn criticism from the CEO of Ref Support UK, Martin Cassidy.

Referee Charity CEO Calls Out Arteta's Behavior

Martin Cassidy has labeled Arteta's touchline behavior as the worst in the Premier League, stating that it contributes to the larger problem of football. He believes that Arsenal should address the unacceptable behavior of their players and manager.

Correlation with Rise in Referee Abuse

Cassidy and Ref Support UK argue that the behavior of high-profile managers like Arteta and Jurgen Klopp directly correlates to the rise in referee abuse at grassroots level. They highlight the particularly harsh treatment of referees under the age of 18.

Backlash from Pundits

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have also expressed their disapproval of Arteta's rant and Arsenal's statement. Carragher called the statement and complaints "over the top," while Neville stressed that managers and players make more mistakes than referees.