Arsenal have submitted an appeal against their FA charge received for protesting a non-penalty decision against Oxford United.

OXFORD, ENGLAND: Referee David Coote during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Oxford United and Arsenal at Kassam Stadium on January 09, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
OXFORD, ENGLAND: Referee David Coote during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Oxford United and Arsenal at Kassam Stadium on January 09, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal were charged by the FA earlier this month after a few players surrounded referee David Coote to appeal for a penalty against Oxford United.

The referee ignored the appeals, and as there was no VAR for the fixture, the game simply carried on.

The FA subsequently handed Arsenal a charge for “[failing] to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion”.

Goal report that Arsenal have appealed the charge, believing it to be unreasonable.

For a start, Arsenal argue that the FA’s claim that the Gunners forcefully tried to get the referee to overturn the decision isn’t consistent with the referee’s own report – which doesn’t mention anything like that.

The Gunners also highlight similar incidents involving other clubs that haven’t led to a charge, citing several examples in their appeal.

Just seconds into Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Friday for example, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, and Erling Haaland all surrounded the referee to try and convince him to overturn a decision against City.

Manchester City players surround the referee to appeal for a decision in the second minute of Arsenal's FA Cup tie
Manchester City players surround the referee to appeal for a decision in the second minute of Arsenal’s FA Cup tie

This is exactly the sort of incident Arsenal likely pointed to, showing that scenes like this happen almost every game and rarely result in charges.

The Gunners are now waiting for a response to their appeal.