INTERNATIONAL

Arbeloa Hit With FA Charge as Fulham Sweat Over Leno's Fulham Future

📅 October 3, 2026 · By Liberia Sports Live · AI-assisted match report · 👁 4

Manager in Hot Water With the FA

Fulham's turbulent start to the 2026/27 Premier League season has taken another difficult turn, with manager Álvaro Arbeloa now facing formal disciplinary action from English football's governing body. The Football Association charged the Spaniard with misconduct following his explosive post-match interview after Fulham's 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Craven Cottage on 20 September. Arbeloa publicly claimed that officials would "not let Manchester United lose," drawing a direct line to a controversial VAR call from United's Manchester derby the week before. The FA alleges that his remarks implied bias and questioned the integrity of a match official — a charge the Fulham boss had until 1 October to formally respond to. No final punishment has yet been issued.

Late Drama Robbed Fulham of Victory

The match that sparked the controversy was a dramatic one. Fulham looked set to claim their first league win of the season when a Lisandro Martinez own goal put them ahead, only for Matheus Cunha to snatch a deflected equaliser for United deep in injury time. Replays later suggested the goal was questionable, and the refereeing body reportedly issued United an apology while taking action against VAR official Matthew Donohue — though that offered little comfort to Arbeloa. The draw left Fulham without a Premier League win from their opening five fixtures of the season, sitting 19th in the table. Arbeloa, who only took charge of the club in the summer, is already feeling the heat.

Injury and Squad News

Heading into that Manchester United clash, Arbeloa was without both Tom Cairney and Kenny Tete through injury, giving him a limited selection in midfield and at right-back. With the next Premier League fixture coming up at Ipswich Town on 10 October, Fulham fans will be hoping for some good news on the injury front before the Cottagers make the trip to East Anglia. The club are currently in the bottom three and desperately need a positive result to start turning things around.

Transfer Talk

(RUMOUR) There is growing speculation — reported by German outlet Bild — that Bayern Munich have placed Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno on their transfer shortlist for next summer. With veteran shot-stopper Manuel Neuer widely expected to retire at the end of the 2026/27 season, Bayern are said to be building plans around young keeper Jonas Urbig and want an experienced backup. Leno, 34, has made 155 top-flight appearances for Fulham and accumulated 33 clean sheets since joining from Arsenal in 2022. He has entered the final 12 months of his contract, though Fulham do hold an option to extend by a further year. The German is reportedly open to a return to the Bundesliga, partly for personal reasons. Losing Leno would be a significant blow for a Fulham side already struggling, though any deal would reportedly not come for free given the extension clause in his contract. In other transfer news confirmed from the summer window, Fulham completed the permanent signing of Austrian defender David Affengruber from Elche for €12 million on a four-year deal, while fellow new boy César Palacios, signed from Real Madrid, has already made his mark on the pitch.

Sources

Share on Facebook WhatsApp X