Arsene Wenger Given Four-Match Touchline Ban

Arsene Wenger has been handed a four-match touchline ban by the FA after the Arsenal manager admitted a charge of misconduct.

The FA handed down the punishment on Monday after Wenger was charged for pushing fourth official Anthony Taylor after he was sent to the stands for protesting a penalty decision in Sunday’s win over Burnley.

He was also fined £25,000 for his actions, and will have to spend the next four games sitting in the stands.

Wenger was also charged with using insulting language toward the officials. The Arsenal boss has apologised for his actions and accepted the charge.

“It was alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official,” an FA statement said. “It was 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.”

Wenger will miss this weekend’s FA Cup clash against Southampton, Tuesday’s game against Watford and next weekend’s crucial top-of-the-table clash against Premier League leaders Chelsea.

He will also miss a league home game against Hull on Feb. 11 unless Southampton and Arsenal draw on Saturday, in which case he would miss the cup replay instead.

The Frenchman was sent off by referee Jon Moss after allegedly using abusive or insulting language towards fourth official Taylor when Burnley won an injury-time penalty. Wenger then attempted to watch the remainder of the contest from the entrance to the tunnel, when he appeared to have pushed Taylor, who was asking him to retreat.

Andre Gray’s penalty three minutes into injury time had Wenger incensed, only for Alexis Sanchez to convert a spot-kick of his own some eight minutes into the added time, sealing the Gunners’ victory.

Barring a cup replay, Wenger will not be allowed back on the touchline until Feb. 15, when Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16.