Advertisement

Kai Havertz retrospective ban truth after mass Arsenal vs Man United brawl and Ugarte clash

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Kai Havertz brought upon himself unwanted attention after clashing with Manchester United players on Sunday - now Arsenal will just hope their forward avoids retrospective punishment.

The Gunners were eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle, losing to English top-flight rivals Man United via a penalty shoot-out at the Emirates Stadium.

Havertz was the unfortunate player to see his crucial penalty saved by Altay Bayindir, but that was not his only contribution to the fiery tie.

READ MORE: Sterling start, wildcard - Mikel Arteta's Arsenal vs Tottenham attack dilemma after Jesus injury

READ MORE: Arsenal tipped to complete five January transfers amid Mikel Arteta U-turn

With the match level at 1-1 after Diogo Dalot had been sent off for the visitors, the makeshift striker was responsible for winning a 72nd-minute penalty. Harry Maguire had been judged by referee Andy Madley to have made a foul in the 18-yard box.

A mass confrontation ensued as the Man United players took exception to the decision. Maguire - who was subsequently yellow-carded - and midfielder Manuel Ugarte directly targeted Havertz.

The Uruguayan appeared to headbutt Havertz, though with no VAR in operation the footage was not reviewed and no live punishment dished out.

Though, it has to be cleared up that images after the fact also appear to have shown prior to Ugarte's action, Havertz had grabbed his opponent by the throat amongst the group of tussling players.

Arsenal and Man United players clash
Central in the background, what is believed to be the left hand of Kai Havertz placed on the throat of Manuel Ugarte as tensions flared during Arsenal vs Man United (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) -Credit:Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Such action is deemed violent conduct and an immediate red card offence. But again, with no VAR in action Madley was unable to himself spot or call upon extra assistance to wade through the incident in detail and hand out any punishments there and then.

Officials are required to submit a report to their superiors the morning after their match, at which point they clarify whether or not they missed moments such as this one.

If the FA believe there is wrongdoing, they convene a three-person panel comprised of a former official, manager and player to review the footage in full. A unanimous agreement would then lead to the player under scrutiny being punished retrospectively - in this instance Havertz.

Ugarte is also expected to face similar judgement for his part in proceedings, though it has been announced already Man United as a whole will not have the book thrown at them over a post-match social media post.

Their official account wrote the caption: "Justice," once Bayindir at had saved Odegaard's penalty resulting from the foul on Havertz.

They were clearly aggrieved with the awarding of the penalty, perhaps either of Dalot's yellow cards and also a first-half passage of play when captain Bruno Fernandes complained he had been fouled from behind on the edge of the Gunners' penalty area.

No retrospective action will be taken over what could have been deemed to be questioning the officials' integrity.