Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was overtly critical of both the officiating and the schedule makers in a post match television interview after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. However, it’s his actions inside the match officials’ changing room that have landed him in hot water now.
On Tuesday the Football Association charged Wenger with charges of being “abusive and/or improper and/or questioned the integrity of the match referee.”
The FA has given the Frenchman until Friday to respond to the charges, with a potential stadium ban looming.
Wenger was angry at official Mike Dean for his awarding of a late penalty against his team, as he called a handball on the Gunners’ Calum Chambers. West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez stepped up and converted the penalty in the 89th minute to equalize, and hence Arsenal dropped two points.
The questionable call was especially emotional for Wenger, as the match saw him become the all time leader in Premier League games managed, and apparently his beef with Dean spilled over into the dressing room.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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