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Arsene Wenger

LONDON. — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been given a three-match touchline ban and fined £40 000 for his behaviour in the referee’s changing room after the game against West Brom.

Wenger will serve the first game of his punishment tomorrow in the FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest. He will also be confined to the stands for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Chelsea and the visit to Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The Football Association said Wenger admitted “his language and behaviour was abusive, improper and questioned the integrity” of referee Mike Dean. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he stands by the contentious remarks he made before and after Wednesday night’s draw with Chelsea.

Wenger says he tries to serve football with “honesty, integrity” and will always speak out if he feels he has something to say. After a late penalty cost Arsenal three points at West Brom last weekend, Wenger described a series of spot-kicks awarded against his side as “a concerning coincidence”.

In Arsenal’s match on Wednesday Chelsea were awarded a penalty in a 2-2 draw, a decision Wenger said was “farcical”. The English FA has asked Wenger to explain his comments and the Frenchman said yesterday that he would not be backing down.

“Yes I have been asked and I maintain what I said in the press conference, 100 percent. Basically, nothing has changed. I have been in England for 21 years and I try to serve this game with honesty, integrity and, when I have something to say, I say it. On that front, nothing will change ever,” said Wenger.

The contentious penalty on Wednesday was awarded for a Hector Bellerin challenge on Eden Hazard and Wenger remains adamant in his belief that referee Anthony Taylor got it wrong.

“One hundred percent,” he said. “I respect everybody’s opinion, (but) I think it was a yellow card for Hazard, 100 percent. I have a right to have my opinion and I respect everybody’s opinion.”

However, he said: “I am focused on football.

“All this fuss. You imagine, that I am 21 years in the game, and what I have seen, and heard, in the corridors from people, and you can understand that I am surprised and shocked by having been charged.”

On a happier note, former world footballer of the year George Weah is the president-elect of Liberia, to the delight of Wenger, who had a close relationship with the player during their Monaco days.

Wenger said: “I have been invited by George to come to the day when he will be president.” — BBC/Sky.