Arsenal to appeal Wenger’s Uefa ban

Arsenal will fight Arsene Wenger’s two-match touchline ban imposed by Uefa, which would see the Gunners manager forced to watch tomorrow’s Champions League play-off against Udinese from the stands.

Wenger was found guilty of failing to abide by Uefa rules surrounding his original ban after he passed messages to the coaching staff at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg, before being warned not to continue by match delegates at half-time.

Arsenal maintain Uefa officials had told them Wenger would be permitted to relay instructions to assistant Pat Rice through first-team coach Boro Primorac, who was in telephone contact with the bench.

Uefa also fined Arsenal 10,000 euros for the improper conduct of their officials. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal’s appeal will be processed in time for tomorrow’s tie.