Arsenal manager Eidevall finally responds to Emma Hayes accusation of ‘male aggression’ in Women’s League Cup final
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has dismissed accusations from Chelsea boss Emma Hayes of him acting with ‘male aggression’ on the touchline during the Women’s League Cup final.
The Gunners sealed their seventh League Cup triumph after Stina Blackstenius scored in extra time after 116 minutes of action at Molineux.
Towards the end of the 90 minutes, the match was paused after Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum collapsed on the pitch.
The game was stopped for seven minutes with Arsenal confirming the Norwegian was ‘conscious and stable’ shortly after.
After the final whistle, Eidevall approached Hayes seemingly to shake hands with the long-serving Chelsea manager appearing to shove him out of the way.
During the match as the ball went out of play for a free kick, Chelsea substitute Ann-Katrin Berger threw a spare ball to her teammate Erin Cuthbert to ensure a quick throw in was taken.
Eidevall and his Arsenal staff took exception, with the two sides in disagreement over whether a multi-ball system should be in place.
Eidevall was booked during that incident with Hayes believing he should have been sent off.
‘I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline, I really do,’ Hayes said. ‘I think it’s absolutely essential that we role model in the right way. I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline, I’m really not, and 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 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.’
Eidevall rejected Hayes’ accusations and the use of the term ‘male aggression’.
‘I think that’s a very irresponsible way of labelling the behaviour that I have, 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,’ he said.
‘There is a way you behave in the technical area. You need to be a good winner and a good loser.
‘I am happy with the way I conduct myself. Others need to look at themselves in the mirror.’
Arsenal’s victory ended Chelsea’s hopes of a quadruple in what will be Hayes’ final season in charge having been at the helm since 2012.
