Chelsea manager Emma Hayes accused Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall of “male aggression” on the touchline after an altercation with midfielder Erin Cuthbert as she went to take a throw-in in the closing stages of the Conti Cup final on Sunday.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in extra time at Molineux to retain the trophy and end Hayes’ hopes of winning the quadruple in her final season in charge.
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Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal of the match in the 115th minute, after Frida Maanum was stretchered off in the 95th minute, having collapsed off the ball.
Eidevall said it was “irresponsible” of Hayes to label the incident as she did. The Chelsea boss also appeared to shove Eidevall after the final whistle as the Arsenal manager went to shake hands.
“I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline,” Hayes told a postmatch news conference.
“I think it’s absolutely essential that we role-model in the right way. I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline. Fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable.
“I’m disappointed, and I told Jonas that. I don’t think it’s OK to behave like that. He got a yellow card and in fact he should have probably been sent off.
“I’m all for competing to win. I’ve never been booked in 12 years, my time here. I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win, but his behaviour on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.”
Hayes confirmed that her comments and actions after the final whistle were in relation to his behaviour towards some of her players.
“There was a couple, there was one with Ann-[Katrin Berger] trying to get the ball, but the way he fronted up to Erin I didn’t think was acceptable. It’s not the first time he’s been told about his behaviour on the touchline,” Hayes said.
Eidevall came under fire for his behaviour on the touchline by Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor earlier in the season. However, Eidevall condemned the comments relating to his aggression.
“I think that’s a very irresponsible way of labelling the behaviour that I have,” he said. “I don’t feel comfortable with that label. I don’t think it’s the truth to do that, so I think it’s very irresponsible to do that.”
Speaking to the media after Hayes, Eidevall alleged that the argument between the pair began before kickoff after Chelsea requested to play a single-ball system despite Arsenal wanting a multiball system.
“Arsenal wanted it to be played with a multiball system, Chelsea wanted it to be played with a one-ball system. Therefore, the final was played with a one-ball system,” Eidevall told his postmatch news conference.
“The ball gets kicked away, and Chelsea wants to take a new ball to throw a quick throw-in, and I said, ‘You guys wanted to play with one ball, now we need to get that ball.’
“Of course, Erin is not happy over that. I didn’t say anything more in that situation.”
Eidevall was not happy with how Hayes acted after the final whistle.
“I think there is definitely a way you behave in the technical area. There is also a way you behave after the game, being a good winner, but you also need to be a good loser and be responsible in both those situations,” he said.
“I’m happy with the way I conduct myself, and others need to look in the mirror and see if they’re happy with themselves.”