Chelsea boss Emma Hayes called out Arsenal counterpart Jonas Eidevall for what she claimed to be "male aggression" following a touchline fracas with Blues midfielder Erin Cuthbert late in the Gunners' 1-0 extra-time League Cup final victory. (More Football News)
Eidevall was quick to defend his behaviour, saying the disaওgreement began with a pre-match decision, favoured by Chelsea, to useﷺ a one-ball system in the final instead of Arsenal’s multi-ball preference.
Cuthbert had gone for a throw-in late in extra time when she turned𒈔 around and walked towards Eidevall – possibly reacting ⛎to something the Arsenal boss had said – and the pair exchanged words on the touchline.
After the final whistle, decided by a Stina Blackstenius strike 116 minutes into what had been a goal♓less stalemate, Hayes a🐻ppeared to shove Eidevall as the two went in for their post-match handshake.
Asked about the Cuthbert incident, the Chelsea manager told BBC Sport: “I think there’s a way to behave on the side of the pitch and, not for the first time… I’ve been in women’s football a long time and I don’t think we should tolerate male aggression like🎃 we did today.
“Fronting u𝓀p or squaring up to a player is something that’s unacceptable.
"I’ve never been booked in 12 years of my career but I think there’s a way to behave 🍌on the touchline. He received a yellow card but perhaps should have been more.”
Eidevall disagreed with Hayes’ assessment of his actions, saying at his post-match press conference: “I don’t think I was aggressive. I think that is irresponsiﷺble to label it as that.
“T📖he ✱argument we had before the game. Arsenal wanted a multi-ball system, Chelsea wanted a one-ball system, therefore it was played with a one-ball system.
“That incident, the ball is kicked away and Chelsea wants to take a new ball for❀ a quick throw-in. I said, ‘You guys wanted to play with one ball, now you need to get that ball’.
“Of course, Erin isn’t 🍨happy about that. I didn’t say anything more but I think that is how it is𒁃.”
He continued: “I think th⛦ere is a way to behave in the technical area and I think there is a way to behave after a game, being a good winner, a good loser and you need to be responsible in both those situ꧂ations.
“I am ha♊ppy with the way I conduct myself then others need to look at themselves in the mirror and see if they are happy with themselves.♕”
