To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Arsenal have avoided UEFA punishment after failing to make their Champions League press conference

Josh Lawless

Published 
| Last updated 

Arsenal have avoided UEFA punishment after failing to make their Champions League press conference

Arsenal have been let off the hook by UEFA after they were unable to make their scheduled Champions League press conference.

The Gunners played their first Champions League fixture since 2017 on 20 September when they defeated PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at the Emirates.

Their next clash in Group is against Ligue One side RC Lens on Tuesday but preparations have been less than ideal.

As per The Sun, Arsenal were stuck at Luton Airport for more than four hours due a storm in the south of England.

Advert

Their private plane was unable to take off until conditions improved and so a lengthy delay occurred.

Loading…

Having been perched in a private lounge, Arsenal eventually flew out to Lille at around 9pm, before making a 40 minute journey to Lens.

But Mikel Arteta's press conference had to be cancelled completely because the lateness caused a veer off schedule.

Advert

As a result, a UEFA rule was broken as article 73 states: “Each club must hold a pre-match press conference the day before the match.

“Each press conference must be attended by the head coach of the team and at least one player. If the head coach is suspended for the match, clubs have the option of replacing him at the pre-match press conference with the assistant coach."

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Arsenal have avoided punishment from the European football governing body because it was out of their control.

Advert

Newcastle were also given a reprieve last month as storms meant Eddie Howe was two hours late for his pre-AC Milan press conference ahead of their first Champions League game for 20 years.

Arsenal defender William Saliba commented on the situation, saying: "I don’t know what’s happening. Maybe because it’s raining in England or France so we cannot fly and we are still in London.

“First of all we have to get to Lens but I’m confident the delay won’t affect us and we will give our best in the game."

Image: Getty
Image: Getty
Advert

Arsenal lead Group by two points after one matchday, with Lens drawing 1-1 with Sevilla in their opener.

The North London side will be debuting their third kit in the fixture.

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, UEFA

Josh Lawless
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Other

Ronnie O'Sullivan once let 'pitch invader' finish off his century break

9 minutes ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

A compilation of Kobbie Mainoo's full Premier League debut has gone viral

2 days ago