NYON: UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Friday for breaching the terms of his Champions League touchline ban.
Wenger was confined to the stands and banned from communicating with the dugout during the 1-0 victory over Udinese in the first leg of their playoff on Tuesday.
But Wenger passed instructions to assistant Pat Rice through coach Boro Primorac, who sat alongside the manager in the stands. Wenger, who claimed he had permission from UEFA to give the indirect instructions, was warned by European football’s governing body at halftime that such contact was not allowed. Primorac appeared to continue making phone calls in the second half.
Wenger will now be investigated for “not abiding by the decisions of the UEFA control and disciplinary body.”
“According to the UEFA disciplinary regulations, a manager may not communicate with his team during the match for which he is suspended,” UEFA said in a statement. (Agencies)
