UEFA delay decision on Wenger ban
Reuters - Tuesday 23 August 2011, 17:12
BERNE - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can
sit on the bench for Wednesday's Champions League play-off at
Udinese after UEFA agreed not to suspend him until it had
considered the club's appeal.
Wenger was banned for two European matches on Monday for
failing to abide by the conditions of a previous suspension in
last week's play-off round first leg which Arsenal won 1-0.
Arsenal appealed and then requested that the ban start after
the case had been heard by European football's governing body.
"The UEFA appeals body has granted a stay of execution to
the appeal," said UEFA on its website.
"The
appeals body will take a decision in due time but not before
Arsenal's Champions League game against Udinese in Italy.
"Without today's decision by the appeals body the manager's
suspension would have taken effect for the play-off second leg at
Udinese."
Wenger's original ban stemmed from his behaviour in last
season's round of 16 tie at Barcelona.
The Frenchman was then seen sitting in the stands and
talking on a mobile phone in last week's first leg, passing
instructions to the team bench.
UEFA rules stipulate that coaches cannot communicate with
their teams while they are serving a touchline ban.
Arsenal have taken part in the Champions League group stage
for the past 13 seasons but that run could end on Wednesday.
The London club have been hit by injuries this season and
the sale of captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.
They have taken one point from two Premier League matches
although that would pale into insignificance if they missed out
on qualification for the Champions League group stage.