January 23 – Arsene Wenger, the longest serving manager in the English Premier League regarded by many as a role model for aspiring coaches, has been charged with physically pushing the fourth official after being sent off in the closing stages of last Sunday’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Burnley.
Wenger, 67, has also been charged with verbal abuse and has already apologised for his action saying he should have “shut up”.
After being sent to the stands by referee Jon Moss, Wenger moved away from the pitch but stood at the tunnel entrance and refused to move as he tried to watch the remaining few minutes of Sunday’s match. As Taylor encouraged him to move further away, Wenger was seen to push back against the official.
When asked about what had led to his dismissal, the Frenchman said: “Look, it was nothing bad. I said something that you hear every day in football. Overall, nine times out of 10, you are not sent to the stand for that.
“But if I am, I am, and I should have shut up completely. I was quite calm for the whole game, more than usual.”
Reports suggest he could get a four- game ban from the dugout including next month’s vital clash with league leaders Chelsea.
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