Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal was their first loss of the season
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor stands by his accusation that Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall was “bullying” the fourth official on Sunday.
He was involved in heated exchanges with the Gunners boss and said he was “protecting” official Melissa Burgin because of Eidevall’s actions.
Asked on Monday about Eidevall’s behaviour, Taylor said: “I think it was over the top – it’s unnecessary.”
He added: “If it’s a one off, it’s fine. But if it’s constant, constant all the time, then I think that’s where it becomes a problem.”
Eidevall was not booked or spoken to by the referee, but he and Taylor were involved in some heated exchanges on the touchline.
Taylor, who received a yellow card for dissent in City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier in the season, said he wanted officials to be more consistent with enforcing punishment on coaches.
The head of referees’ body PGMOL Howard Webb said in August he was “determined” that officials would not “turn a blind eye” to bad behaviour from players and coaches this season.
Officials in the WSL have been strict on dissent and time wasting as a result, with City’s Alex Greenwood sent off after taking 26 seconds to restart play from a free-kick.
“I had a situation against Chelsea earlier in the season where I reacted to the fourth official in a way that I shouldn’t have, and I received a yellow card and I deserved it,” Taylor said.
“We’ve been told it in preseason this was going to happen. It needs to happen because I just think it’s not acceptable.”
Taylor’s made his “bullying” comment in an interview with the BBC, which came after Eidevall had fulfilled his own media duties after Sunday’s game.
The Gunners head coach did not speak about his interactions with the officials in his post-match remarks, but Arsenal are said to be disappointed by Taylor’s comments after what they felt was a hard-fought match played in the right competitive spirit.
Manchester City play Liverpool in the Continental Cup group stages on Wednesday.
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