Alvaro Arbeloa fined £25,000 over Man Utd referee comments

Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has been fined £25,000 and warned by the Football Association over comments following September’s draw with Manchester United.

The FA confirmed that he admitted a charge concerning remarks that implied bias or questioned a match official’s integrity. An independent Regulatory Commission imposed the sanctions after a hearing.

Why was Alvaro Arbeloa punished?

Arbeloa criticised the officiating after United rescued a 1–1 draw at Craven Cottage on 20 September through Matheus Cunha’s deflected 89th-minute equaliser.

His complaint centred on a free-kick awarded to Harry Maguire for a challenge by César Palacios, 35 seconds before the goal.

In his post-match interview, reported by Sky Sports, Arbeloa suggested officials did not want United to lose following controversy in the previous weekend’s Manchester derby.

Fulham have since endured another damaging late turnaround, losing 2–1 at Ipswich on Saturday despite leading until the 88th minute.

Ryan Sessegnon’s opener was overturned by goals from Abdoul Ouattara and Dara O’Shea, leaving Fulham with two points from their opening six Premier League matches.

Arbeloa subsequently insisted he could handle the pressure, pointing to his experience as a player and coach. He remains without a league victory since taking charge.