Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger faces four-match ban after calling ref Jon Moss ‘f***ing cheat’ and shoving fourth official Anthony Taylor
Gunners boss has been hit with two misconduct charges after furious Burnley row and could miss crucial Chelsea clash
ARSENE WENGER could get a four- game ban for calling referee Jon Moss a “f****** cheat” and shoving fourth official Anthony Taylor.
And that would keep the Arsenal boss out of the dugout for next month’s vital clash with league leaders Chelsea.
The Frenchman has been hit with two charges of misconduct by the FA after Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Burnley.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the January window with SunSport's daily LIVE blog
He was resigned to being handed a two-match touchline ban and £20,000 fine for his behaviour.
But he could be hit with a more serious stadium ban which would prevent him from having any contact with his players.
Wenger was sent from the technical area by Taylor when his team conceded a late penalty.
He was then involved in a shoving match with the fourth official as he tried to watch from the players’ tunnel.
SunSport has learned Wenger called Moss a “f****** cheat”. The phrase was mentioned in Moss’ match report.
And it is questioning the impartiality of officials which will most incur the FA’s wrath.
Former Chelsea coach Rui Faria was hit with a six-match stadium ban for using the same insult in 2014, although that was reduced to four games on appeal.
Now the FA may throw the book at Wenger, confirming they are treating it as a “non-standard” case. Wenger, who has until Thursday to respond, apologised soon after.
He said: “I regret everything. I should have shut up, gone in and gone home. I apologise for that.
Related Stories
“But I was sent off for something you hear every day in football.
“It was nothing bad and nine times out of ten you are not sent to the stands for that.”
The FA takes a manager’s disciplinary record over the past year into account when deciding a punishment.
And Wenger has not been charged by them since 2010.
A touchline ban does not stop a manager contacting his coaches — but a stadium ban does.
Arsenal have also decided not to appeal Granit Xhaka’s red card for his challenge on Burnley’s Steven Defour.
He now misses games with Southampton, Watford, Chelsea and Hull.
Keep up to date with ALL the Arsenal news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary