Wenger to face FA again

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will again face Football Association officials following his latest outburst as the fall-out from the mass brawl at the Carling Cup final continues.

It is not the first time this season Wenger has put himself in direct conflict with the powers that be.

A date for his personal hearing into the charge of improper conduct after a confrontation with referee Steve Bennett at the Emirates Stadium in December is still not finalised, while the Frenchman was fined £10,000 (€14,800) and warned about his future conduct for a touchline bust-up with then West Ham manager Alan Pardew at the end of November’s Barclays Premiership game at Upton Park.

Wenger has now been asked by the governing body to explain his claim “the whole system is not honest”, in reference to the disciplinary procedures of the FA.

And his comments that the assistant whom referee Howard Webb consulted before sending off Adebayor was a “liar” are not being taken likely at Soho Square.

This latest incident is also likely to result in a hefty fine, with the outcome of the charge already on file possibly even resulting in a touchline ban.

“Questioning the integrity of a match official and accusing them of lying is a very serious claim to make as it questions the whole integrity of the game,” said an FA spokesman.

“We also reject any accusations of bias or dishonesty within our disciplinary system. We will be asking Arsene Wenger to explain these comments.”

The FA statement continued: “Contrary to Wenger’s allegations, the assistant referee’s report does not claim that Adebayor punched Frank Lampard.

“The report states that Adebayor’s attitude was aggressive, that he shoved into Ricardo Carvalho and that he aimed a punch at Lampard. It does not state that Adebayor struck Lampard.

“Adebayor was sent off for violent conduct on Sunday. His claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by a disciplinary commission on Tuesday.

“He was also charged with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off.

“He denied the charge and will have a personal hearing on Tuesday March 6.”

The immediate impact of the affair, however, is to rob Wenger of another of his first-team regulars just when the campaign is entering a crucial stage.

Right-back Emmanuel Eboue, 23, was found guilty of violent conduct, despite denying a charge of striking Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge during the closing moments of Sunday’s final in Cardiff.

Eboue will now miss Premiership fixtures against Reading tomorrow, at Aston Villa on March 14 and at Everton four days later.

Centre-half Kolo Toure and striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be available for the trip to Goodison Park after their suspensions began ahead of Wednesday night’s FA Cup tie at Blackburn.

Adebayor, however, could then be forced to serve a further ban depending on the outcome of his personal hearing.