Arsene Wenger has been charged by the Football Association over comments made to the referee in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with West Brom on Sunday.
The Gunners were apoplectic with Mike Dean after the match official awarded the Baggies a controversial penalty.
Calum Chambers was adjudged to have handballed inside the area, despite the defender appearing to have had no intention to do so.
Jay Rodriquez equalised from the spot, cancelling out Alexis Sanchez’s deflected free-kick.
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Wenger was seen having an animated conversation with Dean on the touchline during the game.
The Arsenal manager continued his conversation with Dean in the officials’ changing room after the match where it’s alleged he was abusive and questioned the integrity of the referee.
Speaking after the game, Wenger told the press: ‘It wasn’t a penalty. There was no handball. It was not a deliberate handball. When you are as close as that, it’s impossible to play football. You go in the box, they just lift the ball to the arm of the player and it’s a penalty. He didn’t lift his hand. Where do you put your hands? You have no pockets in your shorts.
‘I’m angry because we have seen the same things again. I did fight very hard for the referees to become professional many years ago and they did a good job to allow them to be professional. But I see no improvement.
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‘There are two countries in Europe where you have professional referees, in Italy and in England, and not one English referee will go to the World Cup. But everything is all right. We cannot say a word against it because they’re untouchable. That is the truth. It’s not only me that judges them.’
Wenger has until 6pm on Friday to respond to the charge.
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