Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said “freedom of speech” is crucial for improving the standard of refereeing in football and confirmed he has responded to a charge from the Football Association (FA) following his outburst after the defeat to Newcastle United earlier this month.
Arteta had branded the VAR decision not to rule out Anthony Gordon‘s goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle as “embarrassing” and a “disgrace,” which caused the FA to respond by formally charging the Spaniard.
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He could face a touchline ban for his comments, however, at a news conference on Friday, Arteta said the freedom to talk openly about refereeing decisions was key to improving the sport.
“I think it is good that we are communicating,” Arteta said.
“We want to improve the game, all of us: Referees, managers, sporting directors, officials, you guys [the media]. We all want a better game, and to have a better game we have to have freedom of speech, respectfully and in a constructive way. We have to promote that, and if you don’t then you don’t get better.
