Arsène Wenger facing three-game touchline ban after pushing Anthony Taylor during Burnley win
The Arsenal manager, who could now receive a touchline ban for his conduct, has until 6.00pm on Thursday to respond to the charge
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsène Wenger is facing a likely three-game touchline ban after he was charged with misconduct by the Football Association following Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Burnley.
The Arsenal manager appeared to push fourth official Anthony Taylor after being sent to the stands by Jonathan Moss, the match referee, during the closing stages of Sunday's Premier League meeting at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger was ordered to leave the touchline for protesting against Moss' decision to award a 93rd minute penalty to Burnley, which was then converted by striker Andre Gray to level the score at 1-1.
The Frenchman initially attempted to watch the remainder of the game from the entrance of the tunnel and, when he was told to move away by Taylor, appeared to make physical contact with the official.
A statement by the Football Association read: “It is alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, [Wenger] used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official. It is further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct.”
Wenger has until 6.00pm on Thursday to respond to the charge. If the charge is upheld, he could be absent from the touchline for as many as three games.
The 67-year-old's frustration at Moss' decision was eased when his side won a penalty of their own five minutes after Gray's equalier. Ben Mee, the Burnley defender, was penalised for a high boot on Laurent Koscielny in the area and Alexis Sanchez scored from spot with a Panenka-style kick to take all three points.
Wenger subsequently apologised for his conduct during his post-match press conference, telling reporters: “I regret everything. I should have shut up and gone in and gone home, basically.”
“I apologise for that,” he added. “There's nothing bad. I said something you hear everyday in football but nine times out of 10 you're not sent to the stand for that. But if I am, I am and I should have shut up completely.”
However, in a post-match television interview, Wenger denied making physical contact with Taylor and merely claimed: “I just went in and watched the game here [in a corridor] after. I thought I could stay in the corridor.”
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