Arsenal Sanctioned by FA After Breaking Strict Rule in Man Utd Game
The FA have confirmed that the Professional Game Board (PGB) have sanctioned Arsenal over a rule break during a clash with Manchester United.
In an official statement, the Football Association have confirmed that Arsenal will be fined following their actions ahead of an FA Cup match against rivals Manchester United.
Back in January, Arsenal hosted United for a third round clash in the 2024/25 FA Cup.
After United captain Bruno Fernandes opened up the scoring in the cagey game in the 52nd minute, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes found an equaliser just 11 minutes later.
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Eventually, the match went to a penalty shootout, with a miss from Kai Havertz ultimately sealing a 5-3 win for the visitors in the match.
And now, nine months later, things have gotten worse for the Gunners as the FA have confirmed their decision to sanction Arsenal for breaching rules relating to ticket sales for the game.
In an official statement, the FA confirmed: "The Professional Game Board (PGB) has sanctioned Arsenal FC for breaching the 2024-25 FA Cup Rule 192 in relation to its third round tie against Manchester United FC on Sunday 12 January 2025."
The statement confirms that Rule 192 states that the home club for any match must shall with any request for tickets made in accordance with Rule 191.
"It was alleged that Arsenal FC had breached the 2024-25 FA Cup Rule 192, and the matter was referred to the PGB for consideration.
"The PGB concluded that Arsenal FC had failed to comply with the 2024-25 FA Cup Rule 192 and imposed a suspended £500,000 fine.
"The fine is suspended pending Arsenal FC’s confirmation that it is able to comply with this requirement for the 2025-26 FA Cup third round and continued compliance for any further rounds of this season’s competition."
The statement confirms that Rule 192 states that the home club for any match must shall with any request for tickets made in accordance with Rule 191, which relates to the exact amount of tickets given for away fans.
Rule 191 states that the away club shall have the right to claim either:
(a) up to 15% of the tickets issued (up to a maximum of 9,000); or
(b) if the Ground is not all ticketed, up to 15% the Ground’s maximum capacity, provided that:
191.1. the tickets are for admission to a fully segregated area; and
191.2. the request for the tickets is made within four days of the relevant draw.
According to Arsenal writer Tim Stillman, local authorities present at the FA Cup match wouldn't allow United fans into the upper tier of the stadium due to fears that they would stand, as they had done in previous away games.
It was then deemed impossible to fit 9,000 United fans solely into the lower tier without risking home and away fans mixing and clashing.
The empty seats during the match were actually noticed by fans watching the game on TV.
Ben McCrum