Arsene Wenger given four-game Arsenal touchline ban for official confrontation

The Arsenal manager has been banned after pushing fourth official during Arsenal's game against Burnley last weekend

Arsene Wenger was sent to the stands late in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Burnley (Getty)

Arsene Wenger has been struck with a four-match touchline ban for pushing fourth official Anthony Taylor during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Burnley on Sunday.

The Arsenal manager has also been fined £25,000 for misconduct for the unsavoury scenes which marred the end of Sunday’s win. Wenger was sent off from the technical area after protesting against Jon Moss awarding Burnley a penalty. When Taylor told Wenger he could not watch added time from the tunnel, Wenger pushed him.

Wenger will now have to watch Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round game at Southampton from the stands. He will also be absent from the touchline for the three Premier League games against Watford, the crucial title clash at Stamford Bridge on 4 February, and then the home tie with Hull City the following week.

The Arsenal manager was charged with misconduct earlier this week and he accepted the charge while requesting a personal hearing. That was held before an independent regulatory commission on Friday, who decided on the four-game ban. “It was alleged that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official,” and FA statement read. “It was further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct.”

Wenger immediately admitted his wrong-doing after the game. “I regret everything,” Wenger said after the game. “I should have shut up, gone in and gone home. I apologise for that.”