The Football Association is investigating Arsenal’s celebrations following their last-minute winner against Bournemouth on Saturday. Referee Chris Kavanagh included the incident in his match report, prompting further review. Arsenal’s bench rushed onto the field to celebrate after Reiss Nelson’s goal in the 97th minute secured a 3-2 victory for the Gunners. The win helped Arsenal maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Bournemouth had taken an early lead with a goal by Philip Billing just nine seconds into the game, and Marcos Senesi extended their lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute with a header. However, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Ben White scored to level the game before Nelson’s late winner.
Nelson’s goal was followed by substitutes and members of the coaching staff running onto the pitch to celebrate with the 23-year-old. The incident has now been flagged for investigation, with the FA likely to examine whether Arsenal’s actions breached the rules regarding excessive celebrations.
Celebrations are a common sight in football, with players often running towards the fans or their teammates after scoring a goal. However, there are rules in place to prevent excessive celebrations, which can be seen as unsporting behaviour or inciting the opposition’s fans. The FA’s disciplinary code states that players and staff should not leave the field of play without the referee’s permission and that excessive celebrations can result in disciplinary action.
In recent years, the FA has become increasingly strict in its enforcement of the rules around excessive celebrations. In 2018, Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic was cautioned for running towards the fans after scoring a late winner against Crystal Palace. In 2019, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino was similarly cautioned for his celebration against Arsenal.
Arsenal will be hoping that their celebrations do not result in any disciplinary action, as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, and will be looking to extend their advantage in the coming weeks. However, the investigation serves as a reminder that even the smallest of incidents can be flagged for review and result in disciplinary action.
