FA clear Arsenal of any wrongdoing and decide NOT to take further action after looking into the Gunners’ wild celebrations against Bournemouth – as staff flooded the pitch following Reiss Nelson’s 97th-minute winner
The Football Association have cleared Arsenal of any wrongdoing after reviewing the wild and chaotic celebrations caused by Reiss Nelson’s stoppage time winner against Bournemouth last weekend.
In what emerged a pivotal moment in this season’s Premier League title race, Nelson fired Arsenal 3-2 ahead in the 97th-minute at the Emirates, sparking delirious scenes of jubilation both on and off the pitch.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta ran down the touchline and hugged one of his players before giving a double fist pump to the celebrating Arsenal fans, all the while appearing not to step on to the pitch.
A group of Arsenal staff members simultaneously flooded the pitch to celebrate with the players, unable to control themselves after watching the last-gasp winner.
Referee Chris Kavanagh subsequently made a note of the celebrations in his match report, prompting the FA to investigate the matter.
Arsenal’s wild celebrations in the wake of Reiss Nelson’s dramatic last-gasp winner against Bournemouth last weekend are not being reviewed further by the Football Association
Coaching staff and substitutes spilled on to the pitch after Nelson’s vital goal at the Emirates
The laws of the game state those within the technical area ‘must behave in a responsible manner’ and ‘must remain within its confines except in special circumstances.’
Such occasions include a physiotherapist or doctor running on to treat a player.
Following a review of the incident, the FA told Sportsmail: ‘As guidance, we reviewed the referee’s report, but we won’t be taking any further action on this.’
Bournemouth went 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi, but two quickfire strikes from Thomas Partey and Ben White midway through the second half levelled the scoreboard, setting up a tense finish.
Nelson’s left-footed strike sparked pandemonium inside the Emirates as Arsenal protected their five-point lead over Manchester City, who are hoping to hunt down the league leaders in pursuit of a fifth title in six seasons.
Mikel Arteta ran down the touchline after the goal but did not appear to step on to the pitch
Nelson’s late goal preserved Arsenal’s five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League
Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp was fined for running on to the pitch to celebrate in 2018
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined £8,000 in 2018 after admitting a misconduct charge for running on to the Anfield pitch to celebrate Divock Origi’s late winner in the Merseyside derby.
But Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil had no complaints about the celebrations last weekend.
‘I’ve no comment to make on what Arsenal did. I shook hands with Mikel, it was a game he needed to win and I needed something from it too,’ the manager urged after the match.
‘We went to battle and he came out on top. They scored the goal, so they can celebrate however they like.’
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