Arsenal were accused of breaking a little-known Premier League rule during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Mikel Arteta’s team went into the weekend knowing they needed to win these types of games to end their 22-year quest for a league title.
In many ways, however, Arteta’s former mentor, Pep Guardiola, gave him a taste of his own medicine. City sat deep and then struck on the counter as Erling Haaland blasted past Gabriel like a steam train before finishing past David Raya. Guardiola’s team then put everyone behind the ball to safeguard their lead.
Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser saved Arsenal a point, triggering frenzied celebrations that may have cost them the opportunity to go for all three. However, in the midst of their efforts to halt City’s momentum, Arsenal is now accused of violating a rule that few fans were even aware existed.
Arsenal Accused of Rule Breach Over Long Throw-Ins
Six of Arsenal’s previous ten Premier League goals have come from set pieces, highlighting their increasing reliance on dead-ball situations to get them through games. On Sunday, they attempted to capitalise on that strength once more by utilising long throw-ins.
However, with Riccardo Calafiori and others seen using towels to dry the ball before making those tosses, many believe the Gunners broke a little-known law. City Chief, a Man City supporters’ page on X, asserted this, writing (see post below):
“Arsenal broke the Premier League rules today. Towels cannot be used to dry the ball in Premier League matches; this rule was implemented last season to eliminate time-wasting and speed up play using the multi-ball system. “There is a clear breach.”
Unlike that assertion, the Premier League rule book does not expressly prohibit players from using a towel to dry the ball before a throw-in. The multi-ball system, which was implemented to speed up play, also contains no mention of towels or other measures for drying the ball. However, the statutes include the following, which might potentially be used against Arsenal:
“Participants (including but not limited to players, substitutes, occupants of the Technical Area or any other Club personnel) must not interfere with the multi-ball system, the match ball or the replacement balls at any time.”
The situation is different in the English Football League (EFL), which oversees the Championship, League One, and League Two, where such activities were specifically prohibited prior to the 2023/24 season. Following a players’ vote, the EFL banned the use of towels or any other drying aids, including objects handed over by spectators, highlighting the overlapping boundaries between the two regulating organisations.
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