Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has been charged with the verbal abuse and physical pushing of fourth official Anthony Taylor by the Football Association. The incident took place during the Premier League game against Burnley on Sunday.
In the closing stages of the Gunners' 2-1 win, after being sent off, Wenger 67, pushed Taylor at the Emirates Stadium. The angry reaction to a penalty in the 93rd-minute given to Burnley who was trailing at 1-0, earned Wenger a dismissal. The manager apologized later saying "I apologize, I should've shut up!"
In an FA statement, it is quoted that, "it is alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, Wenger used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official." The statement also adds "it is further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behavior in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct."
Wenger has been given until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to come forward with a response.
Referee Jon Moss had Wenger moved farther away from the pitch, but the manager stood in the tunnel entrance. He continued watching the last few minutes of the Sunday game and refused to move or budge. Taylor then proceeded to encourage Wenger to move to which the manager responded by pushing back.
This is not the first time a manager was seen overreacting. In 2012, Alan Pardew, the then-Newcastle manager was fined a massive sum of £20,000 as well as given a two-match touchline ban after he shoved an assistant referee during a game against Tottenham.
Wenger was questioned about the incidents that led to his dismissal. In response, Wenger said, "look, it was nothing bad. I said something that you hear every day in football. Overall, nine times out of 10, you are not sent to the stand for that."
Those were not Wenger's only words and he reiterated that he should have kept quiet. He also added that he calmer than usual during the entire duration of the game.
