Wenger can expect apology

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can expect an apology from referees’ chief Keith Hackett, according to League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan.

Wenger admitted he was bemused to be sent to the stands during the closing stages of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.

The Frenchman was told to leave the dugout by referee Mike Dean after kicking over a drinks bottle in frustration after seeing a stoppage-time equaliser from Robin van Persie ruled out for offside.

Speaking afterwards, Wenger admitted he was surprised to be sent off and LMA chief executive Bevan believes an apology will be forthcoming from Hackett from the Premier Game Match Officials Board.

“Although correct in law, it was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Arsene Wenger should sit,” said Bevan.

“I’ve spoken to Keith Hackett and he fully recognises the situation was an error and an apology will follow to Arsene Wenger.

“(Fourth official) Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation and created a needless pressure point taking the focus away from the pitch in a big event with only a minute to go.”

source football.co.uk

UEFA charge Eduardo for dive.

Eduardo faces a suspension after UEFA charged the Arsenal striker with ‘deceiving the referee’ during the Gunners’ Champions League victory against Celtic on last Wednesday.

Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish FA, had said on Thursday that the Croatia international should be banned, a stance that UEFA president Michel Platini echoed.

Smith had said: “Eduardo is a terrific player who has battled back from a serious injury to resume playing at the highest level. However, he showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic.

“Since I came into this post, I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again – both here in Scotland and with FIFA and UEFA.

“I don’t think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football.

“We have shown the courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation and I’d urge UEFA to do so in this instance. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done – starting right now.

“I see absolutely no reason at all why we cannot use technology to assist referees – particularly in live games.

“I know that some people say that TV evidence would damage the flow of a game, but I believe the proposal that I put forward to both FIFA and UEFA whereby football would adopt a similar approach to tennis in offering a set number of challenges can work.”

The Gunners won the second leg of their knockout tie 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium to wrap up a 5-1 aggregate success, but several Celtic players were unhappy when Eduardo won and converted a 28th-minute penalty to open the scoring after an incident involving Artur Boruc.

source football.co.uk