UEFA hand Wenger three-match suspension

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was banned for three matches by UEFA following a charge of improper conduct during a Champions League game this month.

Wenger, who was also fined €40,000 , will miss Arsenal’s next three European matches, UEFA’s control and disciplinary body confirmed in a statement.

Wenger was in trouble over his behaviour at the Champions League round of 16 second leg tie against Milan at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 6.

He found himself in the UEFA dock after criticising the referee in charge of the game which despite Arsenal winning 3-0 led to the Gunners’ exit from the competition after their 4-0 first leg loss in Milan.

The Frenchman is expected to appeal the ban. Speaking just before the news of the sanction was made official, Wenger said: “If I am suspended then it is not justified and I will appeal.

“I believe that they have transformed UEFA competition referees to be untouchable icons, where you cannot even have a word.

“The only thing they understand after the game is the report. I believe that when you have 25 years consecutively in Europe you can still ask the referee that you can have some discussion with him. It is very difficult to understand.”

UEFA had handed Wenger a one-match ban for criticising Massimo Busacca following his team’s last 16 exit to Barcelona last year.

The Arsenal boss was fuming at the Swiss referee’s decision to send off Robin van Persie.

Wenger was then handed a further two-match ban in August for violating his ban by communicating with the Arsenal bench from the stands during the Gunners’ tie against Udinese earlier this season.