10 November 2023 , 10:22
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Leicester City boss Willie Kirk has said managers need to try harder to show respect to referees after Jonas Eidevall was accused of "bullying" the fourth official in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
City boss Gareth Taylor levied the accusations following his side's first Women's Super League defeat of the season during which Taylor, Eidevall and fourth official Melissa Burgin looked to have shared heated exchanges on the touchline.
Taylor claimed to be "protecting Burgin", though Eidevall later called the claims "borderline slander", adding: "Either [Taylor] is not very good with the truth or he is not very good with the language.
"Either way, I don't think it's acceptable...I would expect him to reach out with an apology, but I'm not sure if that's going to happen."
And Leicester boss Kirk believes managers must be more conscious of the scale of their emotions in regard to the treatment afforded match officials.
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"I think we can all be lively at times at the side of the pitch and that's emotions," Kirk said. "I've been conscious of my self sometimes, some things I probably feel I've been out of control at times a little bit.
"It's potentially pressure, the emotions of the state of the game at time. I think we've all got to try a little bit harder.
"You choose to use anger at any given moment to try and gain control over someone. That doesn't matter whether it's a fourth official, an opponent, your child. If you raise your voice or get angry, that is a choice."
The WSL has weathered a slew of controversial decisions since the start of the season, with the performances of officials coming under increasing scrutiny as the popularity of the women's game continues to grow.
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor (L) accused Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall (R) of bullying the fourth official in the former's 2-1 loss on Sunday afternoon (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)The head of referees' body PGMOL Howard Webb said in August he was "determined" that officials would not "turn a blind eye" to bad behaviour from players and coaches this season.
Kirk was not alone in his sentiments, with Tottenham Hotspur manager Robert Vilahamn, who joined the English top-flight in the summer and has overseen a tremendous start to the season, echoing an exigency for respect.
"I think you should try to treat all people wherever with respect and make sure you trust the role they have," the Swede said.
"I know by being a coach you have feelings and some calls are not for you and some calls are against you but you need to respect people, you need to respect the linesmen, the referee, the fourth official.
"Where the limit is is not for me to say. I'm always trying to be calm and be respectful to them. I know feelings can pop up, I got a red card a few years back so I'm trying to learn to never raise my voice to anything."