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Wenger charged

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger charged with misconduct following comments made after West Brom draw… meaning he may face stadium ban

French boss left furious after referee Mike Dean awarded Baggies a last-gasp penalty during the draw on December 31

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has been charged with misconduct following comments made after the Gunners' West Brom draw.

The French boss, 68, was furious with referee Mike Dean after he awarded a last-gasp penalty following Calum Chambers' handball from a Kieran Gibbs cross.

 Arsene Wenger faces a stadium ban after criticising ref Mike Dean
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Arsene Wenger faces a stadium ban after criticising ref Mike DeanCredit: Reuters

Wenger has now been charged with misconduct for his post-match behaviour.

An FA statement read: "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged following the West Bromwich Albion game on Sunday [31/12/17].

"It is alleged his language and/or behaviour in the match officials’ changing room after the game was abusive and/or improper and/or questioned the integrity of the match referee.

"He has until 6pm on Friday [05/01/18] to respond."

 Mike Dean awarded West Brom a penalty for a handball from Calum Chambers
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Mike Dean awarded West Brom a penalty for a handball from Calum ChambersCredit: Getty

Wenger was charged with misconduct in January 27 for pushing and shouting at match official Anthony Taylor during a game with Burnley.

The Arsenal boss was slapped with a four-game ban for misconduct.


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Now, having been charged with the same offence, Wenger could be banned from entering the stadium for Arsenal's upcoming games.

On December 31, Wenger and Co looked set to clinch all three points, before Chambers was adjudged to have handled a Gibbs' ball in the box.

Should Arsenal defender Calum Chambers' hand ball have been a penalty to West Brom?

Following the West Brom draw, Wenger claimed: "It was very disappointing in the way it happened.

"I must say what is more frustrating for me is that it happened many times this season - at Stoke, at Watford, at Man City, at West Brom.

"That is a concerning coincidence for me.

"That’s why I was not happy at all with the movement that the referee made to show why he gave the penalty, because that didn’t correspond at all with what happened.

 Arsene Wenger has already received one four-match ban for misconduct in the past 12 months, for a push on Anthony Taylor
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Arsene Wenger has already received one four-match ban for misconduct in the past 12 months, for a push on Anthony TaylorCredit: PA:Press Association

"On that front, it’s a bit worrying.'

When quizzed as to whether Dean spoke to him after the final whistle, during Tuesday's press conference Wenger said: "No. He saw what he wanted to see and we have to deal with that."

The Frenchman may now face separate charges for the comments.

Following the Baggies draw, Wenger tore into officials in England, saying: "I'm angry because we have seen the same things again.

"I did fight very hard for the referees to become professional many years ago with David Dein. But I see no improvement.

 Mike Dean angered Arsene Wenger by awarding a last-gasp penalty
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Mike Dean angered Arsene Wenger by awarding a last-gasp penaltyCredit: Getty

"There are two countries in Europe where you have professional referees, in Italy and in England, and not one English referee will go to the World Cup.

"But everything is all right. We cannot say a word against it because they're untouchable.

"That is the truth. It's not only me that judges them."

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