BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal hits with a huge point deduction after violating FA’s rule against Manchester United- Gunners new position on table is now pitiful
Arsenal have been handed a suspended £500,000 fine by the Professional Game Board (PGB) following a breach of FA Cup regulations during last season’s third-round tie against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
The sanction relates to a failure to allocate the full 15 per cent of stadium capacity to away supporters, as required under FA Cup Rule 192.
The rule stipulates that visiting clubs must receive up to 15 per cent of available tickets, capped at 9,000, provided a request is made within four days of the draw.
Manchester United were granted 7,956 tickets for the match on 12 January, which amounted to roughly 13 per cent of the Emirates’ capacity.
Arsenal cited safety restrictions that prevented the full 9,000 allocation being accommodated, with the local Safety Advisory Group ruling out the use of the upper tier in the Clock End for away fans.
Instead, the visiting supporters were housed in an extended section of the lower tier that wrapped into the adjacent stand, leaving approximately 1,000 empty seats in that area.
The home club’s usual Premier League allocation for away teams is around 3,000, all located in the lower tier of the Clock End.
After reviewing the matter, the PGB concluded that Arsenal had breached FA Cup Rule 192 and imposed the suspended fine. The sanction will only be enforced if the club fails to demonstrate full compliance in future rounds of the competition.
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The FA confirmed that Arsenal must meet the 15 per cent requirement for the 2025-26 third round and maintain compliance throughout this season’s campaign.
The fine is not immediate, with the PGB’s ruling effectively serving as a warning designed to ensure adherence going forward.
Arsenal are expected to work closely with the FA and local authorities to ensure any future visiting allocation meets the tournament’s standards while remaining consistent with safety protocols.
The situation marks a rare disciplinary case of its kind in the FA Cup. In previous years, the Emirates has successfully accommodated the full away allocation, including nearly 9,000 Lincoln City fans during a 2017 quarter-final.
Arsenal’s third-round meeting with Manchester United last season ended in a 1-1 draw before the visitors advanced on penalties.
While the club avoided an immediate financial penalty, it now faces increased scrutiny over ticketing arrangements for future home fixtures in domestic cup competitions.
