Chelsea's Hayes slammed for 'IRRESPONSIBLE' cup final conduct

Cameron Smith

• 12 Apr 2024 15:15 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes has been criticised by Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall for “irresponsible” conduct after the Conti Cup final.

Stina Blackstenius’ 116th minute goal in extra-time ensured Arsenal ran out victors as Chelsea lost their second consecutive final in the competition.

After the match, Hayes accused Eidevall of using “male aggression” during an altercation with Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert, while the Blues boss appeared to shove Eidevall when the pair approached to shake hands after the full-time whistle.

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In his first press conference since Arsenal’s triumph, ahead of the Gunners’ clash against Bristol City on Sunday, Eidevell addressed the incident.

“I'm very happy with the way I conducted myself. Emotions are high in football,” he said (as per Sky Sports).

“There are two really competitive teams and they want to win so sometimes one team tries to stretch the rules and that's fine - that's what we have the referees for and they made sure we stayed to the agreed rules.”

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Jonas Eidevall ‘not surprised’ by FA decision

After the final, the Football Association soon confirmed that Hayes would face no punishment for her clash with the Arsenal boss.

When asked whether he was surprised by this verdict, Eidevell replied: “I thought the comments that I heard after the game were very irresponsible. They were not mirroring the conduct that I had in the technical area.

“That I thought was irresponsible, but that's all I basically think about it.

“The other parts when we shake hands after the game that's a very minor incident, for me that's nothing.

He continued: “It's never nice when people say something about you that you don't find to be true. Maybe I'm lucky in that situation that everything I did was recorded.

“I need to be accountable for my actions and that's what I can take responsibility for. I'm very happy with the way I conducted myself and I wouldn't do anything differently if I could redo it again.”

Hayes will step down as Chelsea Women manager at the end of the season to take over the United States Women’s National Team. She has won 15 trophies during her 12-year stay at Chelsea and could add further glory in the form of another WSL success.

Furthermore, Chelsea are also in the semi-finals of both the Women’s FA Cup and the Women’s Champions League.