LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Alvaro Arbeloa, Manager of Fulham, reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa could face scrutiny from the FA after accusing officials of favouring Manchester United during his side’s dramatic 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Fulham looked on course for their first Premier League victory of the season before Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute deflected equaliser rescued a point for Manchester United.
Arbeloa was furious with the officiating and specifically pointed to a free-kick awarded to Harry Maguire just 35 seconds before United’s equaliser.
Speaking to Sky Sports (quotes via The Independent), the Fulham manager said: “There were so many things for them, you can see it in the foul by Maguire. Every decision was for them.”
He then made an extraordinary claim about the officials’ attitude towards United following the controversial Manchester derby decision from the previous weekend.
“And I knew after the game against Manchester City that they don’t like Manchester United to lose,” Arbeloa said.
? Álvaro Arbeloa tells Sky: “Every decision was for them. I knew after the game against Manchester City that they don’t like Manchester United to lose”.
“There were so many things for Man United, you can see it in the foul by Maguire”. pic.twitter.com/HwBYD59eiS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 20, 2026
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Could Alvaro Arbeloa be punished by the FA?
(Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
By directly questioning the integrity and impartiality of the match officials, Arbeloa has crossed a dangerous line under English Football Association guidelines.
Rule E3.1 strictly prohibits managers from implying referee bias or bringing the game into disrepute…
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