Wenger and Nasri face UEFA charges

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger and midfielder Samir Nasri are likely to face bans after being charged by UEFA for comments made to referee Massimo Busacca at the end of Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona — and there could be more charges for the club’s media comments after the game.

Both Wenger and Nasri confronted Busacca after the 3-1 defeat that sent Arsenal crashing out of the Champions League last 16, losing 4-3 on aggregate.

The Premier League side were furious that Busacca had sent-off Robin Van Persie for time-wasting with Arsenal leading 3-2 on aggregate with 35 minutes to go.

The Swiss official showed Van Persie a second yellow card after he shot at goal having been given offside,although there was only a second between the referee’s whistle and the Dutchman’s attempt at goal. That infuriated Arsenal, with Wenger and Nasri both likely to face bans if UEFA find them guilty at a hearing that is likely to be held in Switzerland a week today.

“UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger and the midfielder Samir Nasri,” read UEFA’s statement. “Both are to face charges of improper conduct, and their cases will be heard by UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body.”

UEFA acted after a report from Busacca, and Arsenal, Wenger and the club’s players could face further charges if UEFA decides their comments in public — all of which were scathing about Busacca — deserve further investigation.

Wenger admitted on Tuesday he had spoken to the referee, and said they disagreed over the major decision.

“He was receptive, not necessarily of my view (when he spoke to Busacca afterwards), because he must think he made the right decision.”

To add to Arsenal frustration, Van Persie will not be able to challenge his controversial sending off after UEFA confirmed appeals against cautions could only be made on the grounds of mistaken identity.

Meanwhile Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano labelled Arsenal ‘hypocrites’ for blaming the referee for their defeat.

“Barca always wins thanks to the referee, never because of its play, not for having taken 19 shots on goal, not for having won 74% of the possession or completing 900 passes,’’ fumed Mascherano.

“The statistics say that it would have been very unfair if we hadn’t qualified having not received a single shot on goal. Let’s not be hypocrites... we played Barca’s way and that’s why we advanced.’’