London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was charged with misconduct by England’s governing Football Association on Monday after an alleged altercation with the fourth official during Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Burnley.
The veteran French boss was dismissed from his technical area by referee Jon Moss after being angered by the award of a stoppage-time penalty to Burnley, having allegedly verbally abused fourth official Anthony Taylor.
Wenger, 67, then tried to watch the closing minutes of the match in the tunnel at north London club Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and television pictures then showed him pushing Taylor when asked to move back.
Arsenal eventually won the match 2-1 after Alexis Sanchez scored an even later stoppage-time penalty following Andre Gray’s spot-kick equaliser that cancelled out Shkodran Mustafi’s opening goal for the title-chasing Gunners.
Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since 1996, apologised for his behaviour after the match but that did not prevent him being charged by the FA on Monday.
“Arsene Wenger has been charged for misconduct following Arsenal’s game against Burnley on Sunday (22 January 2017),” said a statement issued by the FA.
“It is alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official.
“It is further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct.
“He has until 6:00pm (1800 GMT) on 26 January 2017 to respond to the charge.”
