Wenger quizzed over ref jibe

ARSENE WENGER has been asked by the FA to explain his controversial post-match comments about referee Rob Styles’ handling of Chelsea’s victory at Highbury.

However, it still appears unlikely that the Arsenal manager will actually face any formal disciplinary action by the FA.

Wenger appeared to claim that Styles and his assistant were siding with Chelsea after Robin van Persie had a first-half goal ruled out for offside in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Highbury.

"We scored a regular goal but the referee made a very bad decision," he declared. "I associate the referee and linesmen in the same team the Chelsea team."

The FA have been quick to clamp down on comments which appear to cast doubt on the fairness of officials or players and a spokesman revealed: "We are writing to Arsene Wenger to ask him for his observations."

However, it remains to be seen whether Wenger is set to face disciplinary action for comments which he would be likely to maintain were ironic, rather than accusing Styles of impartiality.

The process of writing to a manager to ask for their observations is now something of a formality to check the context or accuracy of any reported comments.

Jose Mourinho must nevertheless still respond this week to a similar request by the FA after accusing Wigan striker Lee McCulloch of feigning injury during Chelsea's 1-0 win over Paul Jewell's side at Stamford Bridge.

That case could be taken more seriously as, although Jewell has pledged to support Mourinho, the Chelsea boss appeared to mean exactly what he said.

Last December, Wenger was fined £15,000 (22,000) and warned as to his future conduct by the FA for labelling Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat.

As recently as March, Mourinho was also punished for accusing Manchester United players of "cheating" in their Carling Cup semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger had also claimed at the weekend that Styles was not brave enough to send off Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who appeared to elbow Arsenal defender Lauren in the mouth but was only booked.

"It was just in front of the dugout and the referee was not brave enough to make the decision, but it was a straight red card in my opinion," said Wenger.

However, the FA cannot look into either that challenge or two tackles by Philippe Senderos, both of which Mourinho felt should have warranted a red card, as they were dealt with by the match officials at the time.

Meanwhile, FIFA president Sepp Blatter insists it is vital that clubs impose a limit on foreign players to stop the likes of Chelsea, bankrolled by billionaire Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, from devaluing football.

European football's governing body UEFA had foreign player quotas until 1995, when the Bosman ruling demolished restrictions on the number of overseas players clubs could have, and Blatter believes it is time for action.

"If a club can only have five foreigners among their starting 11 then they will have to build on their own youth system," Blatter said in an interview yesterday.

"This helps the public identify with the players in the team. It would also ensure the rich do not get richer and the poor poorer."

Blatter chose to use Chelsea as an example of how big-name foreign signings had stifled competition.

"If Chelsea were forced to have five foreigners then Mr Abramovich could not go on buying the best players across the world for exorbitant fees," declared Blatter. "Chelsea is the example of what should not happen."

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson branded Mourinho as "arrogant" and "a bit of a bully" after failing to shake hands with Arsene Wenger following the Highbury victory.

Wilson praised Mourinho's managerial achievements but declared: "I think a lot of people will enjoy it when he tumbles and stumbles. At the moment, he is a little bit of a bully."

Mourinho disappeared down the Highbury tunnel without having shaken Wenger's hand.

This followed their public war of words, with Mourinho having also angered Wilson, who used to be Arsenal's goalkeeping coach, by previously calling Wenger a "voyeur."

Wilson blasted: "I think his voyeur taunt was an absolute disgrace. I have talked to guys who work for Mourinho and they say he is absolutely fantastic but you cannot do as he is doing in not shaking hands.

"At this moment, Chelsea are the best team in the country and that's credit to the players and the coaches that surround them.

"But what I'm upset about, and what I don't like, is the arrogance he has."