UEFA open proceedings after Wenger ban

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for allegedly breaching the terms of his Champions League touchline ban.

Wenger, serving a punishment stemming from last season’s Champions League last-16 defeat by Barcelona, was seemingly caught passing messages to his team via a third party during Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Udinese in their play-off first leg.

Arsenal immediately confirmed that they will argue Wenger’s case when the disciplinary is held on Monday.

A statement on UEFA’s official website read: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger for not abiding by the decisions of the UEFA control and disciplinary body in relation to the one-match suspension he served during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League play-off game against Udinese.”

Wenger claimed UEFA had told him he was permitted to relay instructions to assistant manager Pat Rice through first-team coach Boro Primorac, who was in telephone contact with the Arsenal bench.

But European football’s governing body denied giving Wenger the green light and have been studying the report from their match officials before deciding whether to take further action.

The governing body’s statement today continued: “According to the UEFA disciplinary regulations, a manager may not communicate with his team during the match for which he is suspended and may follow the game from the stands only.

“Wenger was serving the suspension which the UEFA control and disciplinary body handed down following the English team’s round of 16 match at FC Barcelona in the same competition last season.

“Arsenal won the play-off first leg against Udinese 1-0 in north London. The new disciplinary case will be discussed on Monday 22 August.”