Jonas Eidevall refutes Emma Hayes’ ‘male aggression’ accusation after touchline row
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Arsenal’s manager, Jonas Eidevall, didn’t hold back in criticizing Emma Hayes for accusing him of “male aggression” during a recent Women’s League Cup final. The match itself was intense, with Arsenal clinching victory thanks to Stina Blackstenius’ decisive goal in extra time at Molineux. But the excitement was marred by some unpleasant incidents.
One such incident involved Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum collapsing off the ball, needing oxygen treatment. Thankfully, she recovered quickly, but it was a scary moment. Then there was the dispute over a throw-in, where Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert grabbed a new ball to speed up play after requesting a single ball for the match.
Eidevall wasn’t happy about this and protested the move, leading to a confrontation. After the game, when Eidevall went to shake Hayes’ hand, he was pushed back by her, and she later remarked that he should’ve been sent off.
In response to Hayes’ accusation of “male aggression,” Eidevall defended himself, stating that such labeling was irresponsible and untrue. He explained that his objection to the new ball was simply because Chelsea had requested to play with one ball, and he felt it was unfair for them to change their stance mid-game.
Eidevall emphasized the importance of proper conduct on the sidelines and after the game, highlighting the need to be gracious in both victory and defeat. He asserted his own satisfaction with his behavior and suggested others should reflect on their actions too.
A bit of argy-bargy between Hayes and Eidevall ????
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 31, 2024
Tensions were running high at the #ContiCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/z7WJHz80kF