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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Arsenal ask for Wenger ban delay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger Wenger was in the stands during the first leg against Udinese

Arsenal have asked Uefa to delay Arsene Wenger's two-match touchline ban until after Wednesday's Champions League play-off second leg at Udinese.

Wenger was penalised after being found guilty of contacting the Arsenal bench while serving another touchline ban during last week's 1-0 first-leg win.

The Gunners, who appealed against the ban, were also fined 10,000 euros for improper conduct by their officials.

A decision on whether Uefa will allow the delay is expected later on Tuesday.

Should the request be denied, Wenger will be forced to sit in the stands for the contest in Italy, which is seen as crucial for the Gunners following a difficult start to the season.

They lost skipper Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in their first home Premier League match at the weekend and another influential midfielder, Samir Nasri, has been linked with a move to Manchester City.

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Regarding Wenger's initial ban, a Uefa statement said: "The Uefa control and disciplinary body has suspended manager Arsene Wenger from carrying out his duties at Arsenal's next two Uefa competition matches.

"Today's decision was taken in relation to the Arsenal manager not abiding by the decision of the control and disciplinary body during the English club's Champions League play-off game against Udinese.

"Wenger is therefore suspended for Arsenal's second-leg match against Udinese in Italy on Wednesday and then the next Uefa competition fixture for which he would be eligible."

The Gunners boss believed he had not done anything wrong after the club had told him he could pass messages to assistant Pat Rice via a coach during the first leg at Emirates Stadium. He was then told at half-time that this was not allowed.

Wenger said it was frustrating because the club had asked Uefa before the match for clarification of the rules and that he had stuck to them.

"That's why I'm quite surprised they need an inquiry because they gave us the rules and we observed strictly what they told us," he said on Friday.

European football's governing body said Uefa regulations meant the manager "may follow the game from the stands only".

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