Arsene Wenger must wait until tomorrow to find out whether he will be able to coach Arsenal from the touchline in this weekend's game at Coventry, as he fights his Football Association ban. The re-hearing at which the Arsenal boss is contesting a 12-match ban and heavy fine must be continued after there was not enough time to hear the Frenchman's evidence today.
Sunderland midfielder Darren Williams did travel down from the North-East to give evidence, believed to be in support of fourth official Paul Taylor, who also gave his version of events. Wenger was supported by three of his players, David Seaman, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, who all gave evidence on his behalf. He was charged under newly-introduced FA punishment guidelines with alleged threatening behaviour and physical intimidation towards Taylor after the Gunners' 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light last August.
Arsenal were incensed at the late dismissal of Patrick Vieira after a clash with Williams and Taylor, in his first match as a Premiership fourth official, later reported Wenger for physically shoving him in the tunnel. However, the Arsenal boss insists that, along with Taylor, he was simply intervening in a row developing between Henry and Williams.
Filed by Shane Murray
