Chelsea’s Hayes slams Arsenal boss Eidevall’s ‘male aggression’

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes accused Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall of 'masculine aggression' on the touchline after an altercation with midfielder Erin Cuthbert as she went to take a throw-in during 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 his final season in charge.

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Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal of the match in the 115th minute of the final after Frida Maanum was sent off on a stretcher in the 95th minute, having collapsed on the ball.

Eidevall said it was “irresponsible” for Hayes to characterize the incident as such. The Chelsea boss also appeared to push Eidevall after the final whistle as the Arsenal manager went to shake his hand.

“I think there is a way to behave on the sideline,” Hayes said in a post-match press conference.

“I think it's absolutely essential that we model the right way. I'm not against male aggression on the touchline. Facing players, for me, is unacceptable.

“I'm disappointed and I told Jonas. I don't think it's acceptable to behave like that. He got a yellow card and actually he probably should have been sent off.

I'm all for competing to win, I've never been booked in 12 years, in my time here, I totally accept that he's a winner and he wants to win, but his behavior on the sideline was not acceptable.”

Hayes confirmed that his comments and actions after the final whistle were linked to his behavior towards some of his players.

“There were a couple, there was one with Ann-[Katrin Berger] trying to get the ball back, but the way he spoke to Erin [Cuthbert] I didn't think it was acceptable. This is not the first time he has been spoken to about his behavior on the sideline,” Hayes said.

Eidevall was previously criticized for his behavior on the touchline by Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor earlier in the season; however, he condemned the comments relating to his attack.

“I think that's a very irresponsible way to characterize my behavior. 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,” Eidevall said. said.

Speaking to the media after Hayes, Eidevall claimed the row between the pair began before kick-off after Chelsea requested to play a one-ball system while Arsenal wanted a multi-ball system.

“Arsenal wanted it to be played with a multi-ball system, Chelsea wanted it to be played with a single-ball system. Therefore the final was played with a single-ball system,” Eidevall said during the post-match press conference.

“The ball is kicked and Chelsea want to take a new ball for a quick throw-in, and I said, 'You wanted to play with one ball; now we have to get that ball back.'

“Of course Erin isn't happy about that; I didn't say anything more in this situation.”

Eidevall was unhappy with the way Hayes acted after the final whistle.

“I think there is definitely a way to behave in the technical area; there is also a way to behave after the match, being a good winner, but you also have to be a good loser and be responsible in both situations,” he said. said.

“I'm happy with the way I carry myself, and other people need to look in the mirror and see if they're happy with themselves.”