Wenger blasts ref Dean AGAIN to risk long ban
ARSENE WENGER is set for a lengthy touchline ban and is facing a second FA charge in the fallout from the controversial penalty awarded by referee Mike Dean on New Year’s Eve.
The Arsenal manager has been charged with misconduct for a foul-mouthed tirade at Dean in the referees’ changing room following the 1-1 draw at West Bromwich.
And the Frenchman continued his attack yesterday, putting him at risk of further sanction.
Dean awarded West Brom a crucial last-gasp penalty that Jay Rodriguez converted after Kieran Gibbs’s attempted cross had struck Calum Chambers on the arm.
The referee has been heavily criticised for the decision, with replays suggesting there was no intent from Chambers to handle.
Wenger and Dean were involved in a heated exchange on the touchline and the Arsenal manager continued his tirade after the final whistle when, it is understood, he alluded to a refereeing conspiracy against his team and questioned the official’s integrity.
Rules state that managers must wait 30 minutes after a game before they can approach a match official. It is unclear whether Wenger followed that protocol.
The FA charge read: ‘It is alleged his language and/or behaviour in the match officials’ changing room after the game was abusive and/or improper and/or questioned the integrity of the match referee.’
Wenger has until 6pm tomorrow to respond.
Speaking yesterday, Wenger said: ‘I must say what is more frustrating for me is that it happened many times this season — at Stoke, at Watford, at Man City, at West Brom. That is a concerning coincidence.’
When asked if Dean had offered an explanation for the penalty, Wenger replied: ‘No, he saw what he wanted to see and we have to deal with that. He [Dean] did that movement [gestures by putting his arm up]. But if you look at Chambers he never made that movement.’
Wenger’s comments are likely to be probed by the FA given the remarks again call Dean’s integrity into question.
The Gunners boss was handed a four-match touchline ban last January after an altercation with fourth official Anthony Taylor in a home win over Burnley.