‘Let’s get this hatred out of football’: Mikel Arteta on threats against referee

KICK HATRED OUT OF FOOTBALL: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Tuesday. Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

Mikel Arteta has urged football to prioritise changing the culture that surrounds the game and eradicate “hatred”, saying: “We don’t want it, we don’t need it, it can only damage our sport, so let’s get it out.” 

Arteta’s plea was made after police opened an investigation regarding the threats directed at the referee Michael Oliver, whose home was placed under police guard after he sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly for a tackle on Matt Doherty at Wolves on Saturday.