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Arsenal analyst Miguel Molina and Aston Villa's Victor Manas are CHARGED with improper conduct

  /  autty

The FA have charged Arsenal's Miguel Molina and Aston Villa's Victor Manas with improper conduct following heated confrontation in a clash at Villa Park last month.

Jorginho's late strike, with ricocheted off the bar and into the net via and unknowing Emi Martinez, sparked wild scenes in the away end - and, seemingly, the press box opposite.

It is alleged words and pushing and shoving were exchanged following the goal, with Villa's contingent appearing to take issue with the way their counterparts celebrated.

Having been widely reported at the time, the FA swiftly announced they would look into the incident, and on Wednesday they returned their findings, announcing charges against Manas, Villa's head of performance analysis, and Molina, an analyst and coach for the league leaders.

'Aston Villa's head of performance analysis Victor Manas and Arsenal's technical analyst coach, Miguel Molina, have been charged following their Premier League game on Wednesday 18 February (sic),' they wrote.

'It's alleged that Victor Manas's during the 94th minute was improper and/or violent and that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was improper.'

They continued: 'It's alleged that Miguel Molina's behaviour and/or language during the 94th minute was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting, and that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was also improper.'

Molina left the area shortly after the incident, though the FA's statement makes clear that is alleged it continued into the tunnel.

They added that both coaches have until this Friday (March 31) to contest the charges.

Having trailed twice in the game off the back of a run of three games without a victory in the league, Arsenal appeared to be staring down the barrel of their title challenge unravelling before their very eyes.

Oleksandr Zinchenko equalised with around 30 minutes to go, before Martin Odegaard missed a glorious chance to put them ahead with a short time remaining in the game.

Continuing to push deep into added time, they found their breakthrough through the most unlikely of sources, a rasping Jorginho drive which cannoned back off the bar onto Martinez's head and into the net.

With the technical staff situated among journalists in Villa's rather cramped press box, the scuffles and words exchanged were widely reported at the time, with it said to have got extremely heated between the two parties before stewards swiftly intervened. The FA have settled on the two culprits they feel were responsible.

Both men are crucial members of their respective teams, with Manas one of Emery's most trusted lieutenants, having previously worked with him at Arsenal.

Molina oversees two roles, as an analyst and first team coach. It was reported at the time that they spoke after the game to clear the air.

’No (I haven’t spoken to Miguel Molina),' Arteta said after the game.

‘Like anything that happens in the stands, we will look at it and address it and take action if necessary.’

When asked about the altercation, Emery replied: ‘No I didn’t see it but I’m going to ask about it.’