Soccer: Wenger pledges to fight touchline ban

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to take on the Football Association, backed by two top barristers, when he appeals against a 12-match touchline ban in a two-day hearing starting tomorrow.

The Frenchman was given the draconian punishment, in line with new FA guidelines drawn up in the summer, when fourth official Paul Taylor reported him after a clash in the tunnel which followed the opening match of the Premiership season at Sunderland.