Arsene Wenger's four-match touchline ban explained

The FA have published the reasons why Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger received a four-match touchline ban in January.


Wenger was sent to the stands right at the death of the Gunners' home win over Burnley on January 22 after clashing with fourth official Anthony Taylor.

He was subsequently charged by the FA with misconduct for two breaches of FA Rule E3 in relation to incidents that occurred in or around the 92nd minute of the game and given a £25,000 fine along with his ban.

The first was in regard to his language, which included a swear word, towards Taylor and telling the official: "You are dishonest to your federation."

The second was in regard to a physical confrontation in the tunnel area, after being removed from the touchline, in which Wenger appeared to push Taylor.

Wenger explained to the commission that, when the fourth official had raised his arm to indicate that he should leave the tunnel area, he felt that his personal space was being invaded and he acted "instinctively" to push the fourth official away.

The FA have confirmed that the three-man independent commission, who sat at Wembley Stadium on January 27, say they made the decision because the comment made by Wenger to Taylor that "you are dishonest to your federation" implied bias or questioned the integrity of the match officials, and brought the game into disrepute.

Wenger admitted to the panel that he recalled using an expletive and the committee decided that he probably did use the phrase, but he gained credit for apologising and an early admission of the charge.

Taylor confirmed in his report that, "at the conclusion of the match, Wenger visited the officials changing room and apologised to myself and Moss for his earlier actions".

It was also brought to the attention of the commission that Wenger had an excellent previous disciplinary record, having managed for the last seven years and over 250 matches without being charged by the FA.

The mitigating factors considered when deciding Wenger's punishment were that, in respect to the first charge, Wenger said that he "regretted the choice of language used" and was "very unhappy with his behaviour".

In regard to the second charge, Wenger told the commission that, following his dismissal, he "thought he could go to the tunnel and watch the game from there" and that "nobody had given him instructions as to where he ought to go".

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