Wenger livid with improper conduct charge
Arsene Wenger today refuted his charge from UEFA for improper conduct in the fall-out from Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
The Gunners manager and midfielder Samir Nasri have been charged for “inappropriate language” towards Swiss referee Massimo Busacca after the final whistle at the Nou Camp, where Arsenal lost 3-1 after having striker Robin van Persie controversially sent off.
The disciplinary case will be heard by UEFA on March 17.
Busacca caused uproar by showing Van Persie a second yellow card for shooting at goal just one second after he had blown the whistle for offside – the Dutch forward claimed he had not heard it due to the noise of the 95,000-plus crowd.
Wenger confronted the Swiss official after the final whistle over the sending off and angry exchanges continued inside the tunnel.
Speaking at today’s press conference ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United, Wenger said: “I deny completely any charge. I do not understand where that comes from.
“It is a shame for me that the referee took the decision to send Robin van Persie off. It was the wrong decision.
“The first leg was a fantastic advert for football and the second game has been destroyed. People now will only remember the sending off.
“It would be good for UEFA to show some humility, to apologise for what has happened, not charge people who have done nothing wrong.”
Wenger revealed captain Cesc Fabregas had suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem, and would be out for possibly two weeks.
“He is very disappointed because it is becoming a bit of a problem for him, but it is very superficial,” said the Arsenal boss.
Arsenal could also consider an emergency loan as cover for injured keeper Wojciech Szczesny, Wenger confirmed.
