Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Thursday November 29 2007
Time: 9:43PM
UK time is: 19:58:39
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Wenger Hit By Euro Ban
Arsene Wenger has been hit with a one-match touchline ban by UEFA after the goings-on during Arsenal's defeat to Sevilla on Tuesday.
Wenger was on the fourth official's case for most of the 90 minutes as Sevilla stars such as Dani Alves and Jesus Navas spent more time in flight than they did playing football.
The referee and his assistants seemed not to care that the Sevilla players were diving all over the place. Naturally, this enraged Arsene Wenger, who made his feelings clear on the subject.
The referee sent the Arsenal boss to the stands as a result, but Wenger refused to budge, and spent the rest of the game standing behind the dug out.
UEFA didn't like Wenger's antics and have slapped him with a one match ban, which could be extended when UEFA meet on December 13th.
Wenger has also revealed that he has no clue why he was sent from his technical area: 'No, I am not appealing against this.
'But I think that if I was to be banned for more than one game, it would be unfair. I was surprised to be sent off.
'I am not saying I am an angel on the touchline, but I have done much worse than what I did on Tuesday night.
'I am like everybody, sometimes there are periods when I am nervous and explode a bit quicker, but overall I try to control it.
'At the end of the day I know what I have done, and I know I have not done a lot.
'It's like if the speed limit is 60mph, sometimes you are not caught when you drive 70mph and sometimes you are caught when you drive 61. I drove 60 and a half.
'I was surprised that I was sent off for what I said.
'I said [to the fourth official] it was naive to give [Sevilla captain Daniel] Alves time to waste that time. I said 'I bet with you he will sprint in two minutes'. It was less than two minutes.'
I wonder if UEFA will do anything about the play acting during the game? No? Thought not!
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Your Comments
What a ******** joke! He did nothing wrong and is getting punished for it. Luckily it's against a bunch of no-hopers in a pointless game so it's not too horrific.
super_gooner
To be honest, whether the sending off was harsh or not, he should have just walked. His behaviour in the aftermarth was childish and this type of action was always likely as a result. A one match ban is enough though.
Little Dutch
Hmm.. looks like simmy failed to mention some Arsenal players hmm...eer..diving and ah...a dirty tackle. But as we know, Wenger goes Stevie Wonder when his players do something wrong.
k_chelski
Spot on LD but why should he only get a 1 match ban when he refused to go to the stands. When you get caught speeding you may be asked to be breathalysed and if you refuse you are rightly reprimanded. Did maureen not get a 2 match ban for a similar thing.
cockeril
As much as I admire Arsene, I agree with LD that he should have respected the rules, no matter how badly they're applied by the 4th official, and gone to the stands. On that alone the stupid UEFA could be adding one more game to the ban, which at the start of the knockout round has much more serious repercussions. I'm hopeful they'll just make him serve one match though.
Louisa
Yes k_chelski, Eboue's theatrics were embarrassing to watch. Which also reminds me of Arsene's answer to a journalist's question that he had told his player(s) not to dive. I just think Arsene needs to educate Eboue some more on that. It *****es me off even more when I see talented players do that, to be honest, because that's simply unnecessary and incredibly stupid when they clearly have the skill to get the result instead of acting like a clown.
Louisa
Cant really complain against the ban, and its good that its only for one game, before the knock out rounds start. But if he didnt do much wrong, I dont think he should have been sent off in the 1st place.
prits
As LD said, irrespective of whether or not what Wenger said was worth a sending off, once the punishment was dished out he should have done as he was told, he needs to set an example. But that said, his comments are always funny to read!!!
Rocky7
Yeah Rocky, Arsene even made a joke about making the laundry basket larger (remember how Mourinho allegedly hid in one, trying to beat a touchline ban to meet his players in the dressing room?) and I admire how he keeps his sense of humour despite the stupid ban. That's in Daily Telegraph.
Louisa
As do chelski with drogba, if fact, they don't really mind, while Wenger, has spoken to Eboue about his diving. I think if he still does it, he should bench, besides, he's not in the best form anyway. Anwway, I wonder if Wenger will copy Mourinho and hide in a laundry basket so he can talk to the players?
BMF
Like the horse that drogba is will ever listen.You know Wenger goes blind when his players do something wrong.Accept it.
k_chelski
I'll accept that Kevin if you accept that you're a ****.
hatespur
Kev -Wenger himself says he aint an angel down the touchline. His comments were a bit funny though, and he had every right to approach the 4th official with Seville's time wasting tactics.
prits
Yes, Drogba looks like a horse but a horse that scores bagful of goals. He better perform well or he will be put down. Anyway, I'm not denying that Wenger seems to go blind when some of his players something wrong. But I rather have a manager who protects his own players than a manager who does not at all. If I remember correctly, I don't think he has said anything bad to his players, even to the likes of Cashley or Anelka. The closest instance, is when he joked about Reyes and how he can't increase the temperature in England even with global warming. Then again, Reyes, while he is talented, is a whiny little bitch.
BMF
I cannot understand what interest a Chelsea fan would have in this topic. Unless the sole aim is to antagonise, you seem to have an unhealthy fascination in Arsenal and Wenger. Fair enough, you like to put your twopenneth worth into football realated subjects, but this has no bearing or effect on you or your club.
hatespur
You got it right.Antagonise. But in a sportive way. I can't accept what I am if I don't even know what words were censured.lol.
k_chelski
I'm sure a man of your intelligence can hazard a guess:)
hatespur
Let's just keep it censured I say. :p
k_chelski
Kev, does anyone here really care what you say :P
prits
If they don't, they should.
k_chelski
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