• Premier League

Wenger slapped with two-match Euro ban

ESPN staff
August 22, 2011
Arsene Wenger had a touchline ban for Arsenal's first match against Udinese © PA Photos
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will again have to sit in the stands for Wednesday night's crucial Champions League play-off tie at Udinese after UEFA handed him a further two-match touchline ban.

Wenger passed messages on to one of his coaches while serving a ban for the first leg at Emirates Stadium. And despite Wenger claiming he was told by a UEFA official this was allowed, European football's governing body have come down hard.

Arsenal have already stated their intention to launch an appeal on their official website.

It means Wenger will be banned from the touchline for the second leg in Italy and also for Arsenal's first group game - be that in the Champions League or the Europa League.

UEFA started disciplinary proceedings after he was seen to be communicating with first-team coach Boro Primorac against Udinese.

Wenger has expressed his frustration at the lack of clarity over the situation having apparently been informed by the governing body that he would be allowed to speak to Primorac during the match.

A statement issued by UEFA on Monday read: "The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has suspended manager Arsene Wenger from carrying out his duties at Arsenal FC's next two UEFA competition matches.

"Today's decision was taken in relation to the Arsenal manager not abiding by the decision of the Control and Disciplinary Body during the English club's UEFA Champions League play-off game against Udinese Calcio last Tuesday, 16 August. Wenger is therefore suspended for Arsenal's second-leg match against Udinese in Italy on Wednesday and then the next UEFA competition fixture for which he would be eligible.

"The Control and Disciplinary Body has also decided to fine Arsenal €10,000 for improper conduct by its officials. An appeal may be lodged against these decisions within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.

"Wenger was serving a one-match suspension, handed down after Arsenal's UEFA Champions League game at FC Barcelona last season, in the Udinese home match. The UEFA Disciplinary Regulations stipulate that a manager may not communicate with his team during a fixture for which he is suspended and may follow the game from the stands only."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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