Wenger faces touchline ban
ARSENE WENGER is in line for a touchline ban after he was handed an FA misconduct charge yesterday following two altercations with the fourth official during Sunday’s dramatic win over Burnley.
The Arsenal boss was sent from his technical area by referee Jon Moss for contesting the award of a stoppage-time penalty to the Clarets, having allegedly aimed verbal abuse at fourth official Anthony Taylor.
Wenger then attempted to watch the remainder of the game from the top of the tunnel and was shown by television cameras pushing Taylor after being told he had to retreat.
Arsenal won 2-1 and the Gunners manager admitted afterwards that he should have “shut up” and “gone home” rather than get involved in a spat with Taylor.
Wenger – who successfully appealed against a 12-match ban for violent and threatening conduct towards a fourth official in 2000 – could now be hit with a fine and a ban.
Alan Pardew was handed a £20,000 fine and a two-match ban when in charge of Newcastle after accepting an improper conduct charge in August 2012 when he shoved assistant referee Peter Kirkup. After Sunday’s dramatic late win, which saw the Gunners move up to second in the Premier League, Wenger admitted he should not have got involved physically with Taylor. “I regret everything. I should have shut up, gone in and gone home. I apologise for that,” he said.
Wenger last served a ban following UEFA sanctions in 2012. He was suspended from the touchline for three Champions League games after comments he made about referee Damir Skomina.