Wenger set to learn UEFA decision

By foxsports
Published

The Frenchman is believed to have made contact with the Arsenal bench during the Gunners' 1-0 win over Udinese on Tuesday. Wenger was banned from the touchline for the Champions League play-off first leg as a result of his criticism of Swiss referee Massimo Busacca after last year's controversial second round defeat in Barcelona. In line with UEFA rules, the Gunners boss chose to station himself in the stands alongside first-team coach Boro Primorac, who was in constant contact with assistant manager Pat Rice on the touchline via phone. Wenger appeared to communicate with Primorac on several occasions in the first half and if UEFA think the Frenchman was passing on orders to Rice via his first-team coach, then they will charge him as it contravenes article 70 of their disciplinary regulations. That article states that any banned manager may sit in the stands, but "may not enter the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before or during the match, nor may he communicate with his team". European football's governing body will wait until they look at the referee's and the match delegate's reports before deciding whether to charge Wenger - a move which is likely to lead the Frenchman to be fined if found guilty. The 61-year-old, or Arsenal, are likely to be fined for not making Wenger or any member of his backroom staff available for the mandatory post-match press conference which did not take place on Tuesday night. Theo Walcott was the man who gave the Gunners the most slender of advantages ahead of Wednesday's away leg, tapping home from close range from Aaron Ramsey's cross in the fourth minute. The England winger has been at the centre of controversy all week thanks to comments he made in his autobiography about Three Lions manager Fabio Capello. Walcott questioned the Italian's management style and described him as "cold and clinical" in his book, which has been serialised in a national newspaper. The England manager was present to watch Walcott hit the winner on Tuesday, but the 22-year-old played down the importance of the revelations from his book, saying: "I have so much respect for Fabio and it is so nice to get back among the goals. I just want to get back fit and look forward to (Sunday's game against) Liverpool now."