Ian Wright has hit out at Emma Hayes for accusing Jonas Eidevall of ‘male aggression’ following their confrontation on Sunday.
The Chelsea boss clashed with her Arsenal counterpart in the aftermath of a heated Continental League Cup final, which the Gunners won via Stina Blackstenius’ 116th-minute winner.
When Eidevall went to shake Hayes’ hand at the full-time whistle, the Chelsea manager could be seen pointing at him before giving him a shove.
Their encounter was in relation to a skirmish when Eidevall and Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert squared up to one another over a disagreement about a throw-in towards the end of extra time.
Cuthbert had attempted to use a new ball but Eidevall had pointed out that the game was not being played with a multi-ball system, meaning they had to collect the original ball that had gone out of play.
Ian Wright has hit out at at Emma Hayes for accusing Jonas Eidevall of ‘male aggression’
Hayes clashed with Eidevall after Chelsea’s Continental League Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday and appeared to shove him in the chest, before she accused him of ‘male aggression’
The Chelsea boss throws an angry accusing finger in the direction of her rival after the game
Wright hit out at those comments and said allegations like that ‘could finish’ the Arsenal boss
When commenting on the incident post-game, Hayes claimed Eidevall showed ‘male aggression’ towards Cuthbert.
However, Wright speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, was critical of Hayes’ conduct and felt that her accusation was dangerous.
‘When you look at the clips, to use those words like ‘male aggression’…’ he said. ‘I don’t know what he [Jonas Eidevall] said to Erin Cuthbert, but she totally negated everything by pushing him.
‘She’s not used to losing, and she’s lost twice now in that competition to Arsenal, but I thought she would’ve gone in the dressing room and said it was out of order.
‘She doubled down on it and came out and said that. I can understand how she’s feeling, but that [allegation of male aggression] can finish him – if we don’t see those clips, that can finish him.’
Jill Scott echoed Wright’s thoughts on the matter and felt it was the wrong move from Hayes.
Reflecting on the incident, she added: ‘It was the last minute of the game and they said “Should we use a multi-ball system or a one-ball system?”.
‘And she is asking for a ball to be thrown on, and Erin Cuthbert said something to him. He is very loud on the pitch, but I don’t think she should’ve used “male”.’
Speaking after the game, Hayes had said: ‘I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline, I really do.
‘I think it’s absolutely essential that we role model in the right way. I’m not down for male aggression on the touch line.
‘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.’
She continued: ‘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.
‘The way he fronted up to Erin I didn’t think was acceptable.
‘I was clear with him, I did not think it was acceptable. It’s not the first time he’s been told about his behaviour on the touchline.’
The incident referred to Eidevall clashing with Erin Cuthbert over the use of the match balls
Jill Scott echoed Wright’s thoughts and felt the use of the term ‘male’ by Hayes was wrong
However, Eidevall had hit back at Hayes when informed about her comments.
‘I think that’s a very irresponsible way of labelling the behaviour that I had. I don’t think it’s the truth,’ he said on Sunday.
‘I definitely don’t see me as aggressive in that situation, I think that’s very irresponsible putting that label onto it.
‘I think there is definitely a way you behave in the technical area, there is also a way you behave after the game, being a good winner, but you also need to be a good loser and be responsible in both those situations.
‘I’m happy with the way I conduct myself and others need to look in the mirror and see if they’re happy with themselves.’
Wright and Scott were speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Mail Online
