More woe for Wenger as troubled Arsenal manager is hit with two-match UEFA ban

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:49 AM on 22nd August 2011

Arsene Wenger has suffered another major blow after being slapped with a two-match ban by UEFA.
The Arsenal manager was found guilty of breaching rules in the Champions League first-leg tie against Udinese, and will now be forced to watch the crucial return leg in Italy from the stands.
Despite being banned from communicating with the first team, Wenger appeared to be sending messages to the bench via his assistant Boro Primorac in Arsenal's slender 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal have also been fined £8,700, with the club later confirming their intention to appeal against Wenger's suspension and the club fine on their official website.
AUEFA statement read: 'The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has suspended manager Arsene Wenger from carrying out his duties at Arsenal FC's next two UEFA competition matches.

'Today's decision was taken in relation to the Arsenal manager not abiding by the decision of the Control and Disciplinary Body during the English club's UEFA Champions League play-off game against Udinese Calcio last Tuesday, 16 August.

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'Wenger is therefore suspended for Arsenal's second-leg match against Udinese in Italy on Wednesday and then the next UEFA competition fixture for which he would be eligible.

'The Control and Disciplinary Body has also decided to fine Arsenal €10,000 for improper conduct by its officials. An appeal may be lodged against these decisions within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.

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'The UEFA Disciplinary Regulations stipulate that a manager may not communicate with his team during a fixture for which he is suspended and may follow the game from the stands only.'
Arsenal, who lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool on Saturday, have been in the group stages of the Champions League for the past 13 years. But the Gunners will travel to Udine without a number of first-team regulars.