Wenger may face FA fine tomorrow

Arsene Wenger faces a potential fine tomorrow if found guilty of accusing Ruud van Nistelrooy of cheating amid a warning that too many managers have crossed the line of fair comment this season.

The warning came from Frank Clark, vice-chairman of the League Managers’ Association, who admitted that the Football Association did not appear “overly strict” in taking action against the Arsenal boss.

Wenger is not expected to attend the afternoon hearing at the Football Association’s Soho Square headquarters, with Arsenal having prepared a detailed written defence.

However, the Arsenal manager, who has denied the charge of improper conduct, could still face punishment in his absence after questioning van Nistelrooy’s honesty and conduct.

This followed the controversial clash at Old Trafford earlier this season, with Wenger declaring afterwards that “we all know him, he can only cheat people” following the Dutchman’s ugly foul on Ashley Cole, for which he received a three-game ban.

The Frenchman has so far given no clues as to his likely defence, insisting only that he is perplexed by the accusation, but he may try to claim that he did not actually accuse van Nistelrooy of being a "cheat".

That potential argument could be seen as semantics by the disciplinary commission, while any repeat of Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood’s previous insistence that Wenger should be allowed to speak out in such a way may also fall on deaf ears.

LMA vice-chairman Clark nevertheless believes Wenger may already have crossed the line of behaviour.

Clark told the Press Association: “The FA have set down a code of conduct and managers are allowed to express an opinion as long as it doesn’t become too personal.

“We all signed up to that code of conduct, with regard to not criticising our fellow members or players of other teams.

“Obviously somebody at the FA feels that Arsenal have gone too far. Personally I don’t think they’re being overly strict.

“If the FA think people have gone too far, it’s down to them to make a judgment and I wasn’t surprised that they asked Arsene for his comments.”

Wenger’s comments were made in the heat of the moment on television in the aftermath of a title clash that his side had lost 2-0, ending their 49-game unbeaten league run.

Clark added: “I appreciate it’s very difficult for a manager to come out 15 minutes after a game and have a microphone stuck under their nose, but it’s something that we’ve agreed to.

“I’ve ranted and raved with the best or worst of them so it’s very easy for me to sit down and say it shouldn’t happen, but sometimes it goes too far.

“It’s very difficult but it’s something we accept as part of the price to pay for the money that TV puts into the game.”

If Wenger is found guilty, he is not expected to be hit with a touchline ban, as those normally relate only to matters on the field of play, but he could still face a fine and possibly a warning as to his future conduct.