In the wake of Arsenal’s Women’s Super League win, manager Jonas Eidevall has dismissed allegations of misconduct made by Manchester City’s Gareth Taylor, labeling them unfounded and ‘borderline slander’.
Arsenal Women’s manager Jonas Eidevall has refuted claims by Manchester City‘s Gareth Taylor that he “bullied” the fourth official during their Women’s Super League victory.
Eidevall expressed his disappointment at Taylor’s comments, deeming them “borderline slander.”
“To be honest, I was disappointed with the comments because there is no truth in them. I think the wording that Gareth used was borderline slander,” Eidevall stated in a pre-Bristol City press conference. “Either he is not very good with the truth or he is not very good with the language but, either way, I do not think it was acceptable.”
Eidevall, who has not spoken to Taylor since the game, expected an apology for the accusations he feels are unjustified. “I had a good professional dialogue with the officials during the game, I have not spoken to Gareth. I don’t think his comments are acceptable and I would expect him to reach out with an apology, but I am not sure this is going to happen,” he added.
Despite the controversy, Eidevall is not seeking to escalate the matter legally, preferring to focus his energy elsewhere. However, he firmly believes the accusations are unfounded. “I think everyone who is at the game and can see my behaviour can also see that there is not a single percentage of truth in that, and I think that is quite sad. That’s why I think it is unacceptable,” he said.
Eidevall admitted to being passionate and sometimes losing his temper, a trait not uncommon among football managers. “If I have been passionate on the sidelines, if I have lost my temper or not controlled my emotions on the sidelines? Absolutely. I have done that,” he conceded.
The dispute overshadowed Arsenal‘s narrow 2-1 victory over Manchester City, where late heroics from Stina Blackstenius, following Steph Catley‘s opener, secured the win.
Taylor felt aggrieved by the result, feeling his team deserved the win based on their performance and chances created.