• Champions League

Wenger ponders appeal after 'expected' punishment

ESPN staff
March 18, 2011
Arsene Wenger was riled by Massimo Busacca's decision to show a red card to Robin van Persie © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger is weighing up an appeal after receiving a one-match touchline ban from UEFA for his comments to referee Massimo Busacca during Arsenal's 3-1 loss to Barcelona.

Wenger was incensed after Busacca sent off Robin van Persie, whose second yellow arrived when he kicked the ball away just one second after the whistle blew.

The tie was locked at 1-1 at that point, with Arsenal 3-2 up on aggregate, but Barca went on to score twice, sending the ten men out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage.

UEFA's rules on touchline bans are more severe than those deployed by the FA, with managers banned from the tunnel and dressing room as well as the dugout.

"I expected to be punished because they will only do a meeting like that to punish people," Wenger said. "I asked to have a personal hearing but UEFA says that it was not possible [before the appeals process]. That is very strange because I would have to say some interesting things."

Asked whether he would appeal, Wenger said: "Yes, I might".

Samir Nasri has also been slapped with a one-game suspension, which will come into force when Arsenal next compete in Europe, while Spurs assistant Joe Jordan received the same punishment after his fracas with AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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