Pardew and Wenger are facing wrath of FA


Arsène Wenger and Alan Pardew could be charged with misconduct today after the FA reviews video footage of their confrontation on the touchline. Wenger, the Arsenal manager, shoved his West Ham United counterpart after being angered by Pardew’s exuberant celebration of the home team’s late winning goal at Upton Park on Sunday.

The FA may act even though Andy D’Urso, the fourth official who dealt with the incident, took no action at the time. D’Urso could have informed Rob Styles, the referee, who might then have sent either manager to the stand. The incident, which has been mentioned in the referee’s report, occurred in the last minute, which may have influenced the actions of D’Urso and Styles.

The FA’s compliance unit is also to sift through footage of several confrontations as the players left the pitch. Teddy Sheringham and Thierry Henry were involved in heated discussions as they entered the tunnel. Sheringham, the West Ham forward, was unhappy about a challenge by Francesc Fàbregas. Roy Carroll and Jens Lehmann, the goalkeepers, also exchanged words.

Pardew has apologised for his overzealous celebration of the goal, which took place close to Wenger. The West Ham manager gestured with his right hand towards Wenger and they traded insults. Wenger then pushed Pardew.

It is not unusual for Wenger to be involved in clashes with fellow managers, especially after a bad result. The mild-mannered Arsenal manager has crossed swords with Martin Jol, José Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson in the past. Ironically, Wenger marked Ferguson’s 20 years in charge of Manchester United by saying yesterday: “He is a brilliant competitor but sometimes he doesn’t keep his cool.”

Arsenal were unable to persuade Wenger to speak to the media after the match on Sunday. He was criticised by Terry Neill, the former Arsenal manager, who said: “I was disappointed with Arsène, I would have thought he would have been bigger than the reaction he showed.”

John Barnwell, the chief executive of the League Managers Association, raised the idea of the technical areas being widened to 20 metres to prevent future incidents. “Alan’s team scores a remarkable goal and he can be accused of over-celebrating, but after what he’s been through, how can you blame him?” Barnwell said. “Nothing disastrous has happened.”

West Ham have promised to deal with the supporter who threw a coin at Robin van Persie during the first half. The FA is investigating the incident, having already asked the club to try to identity a fan who threw a coin at Matthew Taylor, the Portsmouth midfield player, last month.

The incidents marred West Ham’s second consecutive win after eight defeats in succession had put Pardew under pressure. “Maybe we owed the manager,” Matthew Etherington, the West Ham winger, said. “We didn’t perform in some games, maybe when we lost to Chesterfield (in the Carling Cup). He stuck by us, like we stuck by him.”

MANAGERS’ OUTBURSTS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Stan Ternent
(Burnley) v Sheffield United, April 28, 2001
Ternent argues at half-time with Kevin Blackwell, the Sheffield United assistant manager, in the referee’s room. “Let’s have it now,” Ternent says, before punching Blackwell in the face and head-butting him.


Miroslav Blazevic
(Osijek) v Dynamo Zagreb, March 6, 2002
Just three days after becoming coach of the Croatian club, Blazevic hits the referee in the face over his officiating and is banned for three months.


Brian Laws
(Grimsby Town) v Luton Town February 10, 1996.
Losing his cool in the dressing-room, Laws throws a plate of chicken wings at Ivano Bonetti, the Grimsby midfield player, fracturing his cheekbone.


Brian Clough
(Nottingham Forest) v QPR, January 18, 1989 When Forest fans run on to the pitch in celebration during a 5-2 win in a League Cup tie, Clough clips two of them round the ears.


Trevor Francis
(Crystal Palace) v Bradford City, August 13, 2002.
Angry that Alex Kolinko, the Palace substitute goalkeeper, is laughing on the bench after Bradford take the lead, Francis cuffs him on the back of the head.

Timesonline