Arsenal’s emphatic 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium just over two weeks ago was slightly overshadowed by an incident that occurred during the match.
Play was briefly halted in added time when referee Michael Oliver ran over to speak to Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp on the touchline following a heated confrontation involving several players. Gabriel Magalhaes and Jordan Henderson were at the centre of the on-field argument, which intensified when Gabriel appeared to claim that something was said.
The FA later confirmed that they were aware of the incident and would investigate further, amid reports that Gabriel and Henderson had presented their cases. Both players have since featured for their clubs and a decision from the football governing body was announced this week.
READ MORE: BREAKING: FA confirm decision on Gabriel and Jordan Henderson incident in Arsenal vs Liverpool
football.london takes a look at what was said by the managers after the match, as well as the FA’s conclusion.
What was said?
Although it is not known what was said on the pitch, Arteta was asked about events In the days that followed but remained tight-lipped while the situation was ongoing. “It’s something I don’t want to touch. It’s in the FA’s hands and I’m not going to get involved in that,” he said.
“I don’t know (how long it will last). It’s something that I don’t decide. I think timings are really difficult to predict. The FA is in charge of the situation and we’ll have to wait and see.” When asked if he was fully supportive of his player’s versions of events, the Arsenal boss replied: “100%”.
Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, wasn’t questioned about the incident directly but instead asked if Henderson was in the right frame of mind for Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League clash against Rangers, to which he replied: “Yes”.
What was the outcome?
17 days after the incident, The FA confirmed that they will not be taking any disciplinary action following a “full and thorough investigation.”
A statement released by The FA on Wednesday read: “Following an investigation into an allegation received by The FA in the Premier League fixture between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC on Sunday 9 October 2022, The FA can confirm that it will not be taking any disciplinary action.
“The FA received a complaint about an incident involving two players in this fixture. As a result of the complaint, The FA conducted a full and thorough investigation. The investigation included taking witness statements from the complainant and accused, along with an additional six players who were within proximity of the alleged incident, reviewing multiple angles of video footage, and seeking independent linguistics experts evidence.
“None of the witnesses heard the alleged comment, and the player accused strenuously denied the allegation throughout. Whilst The FA is entirely satisfied that the allegation was made in good faith, it is equally satisfied that there is no case to answer.
“The FA continues to take all allegations received extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who believes that they have been the subject of or witness to abuse to report this through the appropriate channels. The FA receives a number of complaints in any one season and thoroughly investigates each one that it receives. Following consideration of all of the evidence received, not all cases will result in a charge being issued.”
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