INTERNATIONAL

Arbeloa Charged by FA as Fulham Head Into International Break on Poor Form

📅 October 4, 2026 · By Liberia Sports Live · AI-assisted match report · 👁 5

Manager in hot water with the FA

The biggest story at Craven Cottage right now is the disciplinary trouble surrounding head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The Football Association officially charged the Fulham manager with misconduct following explosive comments he made after his side's 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United on 20 September. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arbeloa alleged that match officials had favoured the Red Devils all evening, and pointedly claimed that, given the VAR controversy from United's defeat to Manchester City the week before, he suspected the referees would not allow United to lose at Craven Cottage. The FA alleges that those remarks implied bias and questioned the integrity of a match official. Arbeloa was given until 1 October to respond formally to the charge.

What happened in that Man United draw?

Fulham had looked on course for their first Premier League win of the season after a Lisandro Martínez own goal gave them the lead in the second half. However, Matheus Cunha broke Fulham hearts with a heavily deflected effort in the 89th minute to earn United a share of the spoils. Arbeloa was particularly furious about a foul awarded against César Palacios for a challenge on Harry Maguire just 35 seconds before the equaliser, a decision he believed was far too harsh. The result left Fulham with just two points from five Premier League matches, placing them 19th in the table — a worrying start for a manager who arrived at the club in the summer.

International break highlights

While the FA saga has dominated the headlines, there was some good news coming out of the international break. Fulham midfielder Shea Charles, who joined from Southampton in August 2026, scored for Northern Ireland during the break — a timely confidence boost after a steady but unspectacular start to Premier League life. Charles has made three starts in Fulham's opening five league games. Meanwhile, FPL trackers noted that Norway internationals Sander Berge and Oscar Bobb were involved in Norway duty that ran as late as 4 October, meaning their fitness will be closely watched ahead of Fulham's trip to Ipswich on 10 October.

What's next?

Fulham travel to Ipswich Town on Saturday 10 October for their sixth Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. Tickets for the upcoming home game against Newcastle United are due to go on sale from Wednesday 7 October. Later in the month, Fulham also host Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup Round of 16 on 28 October.

Transfer talk

(Rumours) Two names continue to circle Craven Cottage in transfer gossip. American striker Ricardo Pepi, who plays for PSV Eindhoven, has been strongly linked with a move to Fulham. Reports from earlier in 2026 suggested Fulham had a bid accepted in the winter window but PSV blocked the deal, unable to find a replacement in time. Fulham are said to remain keen on signing the USMNT forward as a long-term successor to Raúl Jiménez. Separately, Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson is attracting plenty of attention, with Manchester United and Newcastle United among those reportedly keeping tabs on the American defender, who is under contract at Craven Cottage until June 2028. No deals are confirmed — these remain unverified rumours at this stage.

Sources

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