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<\/p>\nJonas Eidevall has hit back at Gareth Taylor <\/p>\n
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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has hit back at Manchester City counterpart Gareth Taylor after he was accused of \u201cbullying\u201d the fourth official during last weekend\u2019s Women\u2019s Super League clash<\/p>\n
Eidevall said there was \u201cno truth\u201d in the claim that he acted aggressively towards official Melissa Burgin at Meadowpark and said Taylor\u2019s words were \u201cborderline slander\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Manchester City boss, whose side suffered their first defeat of the season against the Gunners, said he was \u201cprotecting\u201d the fourth official from Eidevall when next to the Swede on the touchline.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is always the same with him because he is constantly at the fourth official and I think it is bullying,” Taylor told the BBC, in comments that came after Eidevall had finished his post-match media duties.<\/p>\n
Eidevall had the chance to respond on Wednesday and strongly denied the claims. “I did nothing there that I would be ashamed of, or I would hide,” said Eidevall, who was not booked for his conduct during the match.<\/p>\n
“I was really disappointed with the comments. There is no truth in them. The wording that Gareth [Taylor] used afterwards is borderline slander.<\/p>\n
“Either he is not very good with the truth or he is not very good with the language. Either way, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s acceptable.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ve not spoken to Gareth. I don\u2019t think his comments are acceptable and I would expect him to reach out with an apology, but I\u2019m not sure if that\u2019s going to happen.”<\/p>\n
Eidevall said he is a “passionate” manager and admitted he has “at times lost my temper” but insisted his behaviour did not cross the line and refuted Taylor\u2019s claim that it was \u201cover the top\u201d.<\/p>\n
“I think the person who hasn\u2019t been there is not telling the truth,\u201d Eidevall said. \u201cI do really think it is unacceptable to say things about a fellow colleague that is not true.<\/p>\n
“Anyone who was at the game and could see my behaviour, can also see there is not a single percentage of truth in that. I think that is quite sad to be honest. That\u2019s why I think it is unacceptable.”<\/p>\n