FA DEMAND WENGER EXPLANATION
Arsene Wenger has been asked to explain his latest outburst against match officials and the disciplinary procedure by the Football Association. The Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup last night at Blackburn, where manager Wenger used his post-match press conference to launch a tirade over the fallout from the mass brawl which marred Sunday's Carling Cup final. His comments that the assistant referee who referee Howard Webb consulted before sending off Emmanuel Adebayor was a "liar" have seen the Arsenal manager once again fall foul of the game's governing body. Wenger will also be asked to explain his claim "the whole system is not honest", in reference to the disciplinary procedures of the FA.
"Questioning the integrity of a match official and accusing them of lying is a very serious claim to make as it questions the whole integrity of the game," said an FA spokesman in a statement released to PA Sport. "We also reject any accusations of bias or dishonesty within our disciplinary system. We will be asking Arsene Wenger to explain these comments."
Wenger is convinced striker Adebayor was the victim of mistaken identity over his dismissal for supposedly throwing a punch during the final at the Millennium Stadium. The Togo striker was given a straight red card just minutes after coming on as a substitute towards the end of the game after becoming embroiled in a melee which also involved Frank Lampard among others, and which was sparked by the fracas between Kolo Toure and Mikel John Obi.
The Togo striker failed with his appeal for wrongful dismissal and was further charged with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off. Wenger said last night: "We know he [Adebayor] did not deserve a red card. The linesman lies when he says he [Adebayor] punched Lampard.
"What the linesman said is really lies. It is just not acceptable." The Arsenal manager also questioned why a second Arsenal player, Emmanuel Eboue, faces an FA charge of violent conduct, which is due to be heard later today, while opponents Chelsea escaped unscathed.
Wenger added: "It is just a coincidence that you have 20 men who have a brawl and only the Arsenal players were guilty. It is unbelievable but maybe they [the FA] have their own way to do justice."
Lampard has, through his agent, maintained today he was not punched by Adebayor. However, the FA moved to clarify the situation this morning. The statement continued: "Contrary to Wenger's allegations, the assistant referee's report does not claim that Adebayor punched Frank Lampard.
"The report states that Adebayor's attitude was aggressive, that he shoved into Ricardo Carvalho and that he aimed a punch at Lampard. It does not state that Adebayor struck Lampard. "Adebayor was sent off for violent conduct on Sunday. His claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by a disciplinary commission on Tuesday."
"He was also charged with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off. "He denied the charge and will have a personal hearing on Tuesday 6 March."
Referee Webb has also reviewed the whole of the incident again via video replays and from several different angles. The Yorkshire official has confirmed that, apart from the two sendings off and the subsequent charges issued, there were no other red card offences during the melee.
Gilberto, meanwhile, maintains togetherness will see Arsenal through the most testing part of their season so far. Having also seen their FA Cup hopes ended at Blackburn last night, the Gunners will return to Barclays Premiership action against Reading on Saturday when they will look to keep up the pressure on the top three, having played two less games than both Liverpool and leaders Manchester United.
Arsenal's European hopes are in the balance following a 1-0 defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week, with the return leg of the last-16 encounter at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Whatever else may be happening, midfielder Gilberto knows focus on the pitch is now all that matters.
"The next few days will not be easy for us, especially because we have a few players out of the team - but we need to handle it," said the Brazilian, captain last night at Ewood Park. "We need to change our situation and start to win games again.
"We have to stick together as a group, this is an important time for everybody - the youngsters and the experienced players." Gilberto added on Arsenal TV Online: "It has been a frustrating few days with defeats in the two cup matches.
"But we all need to carry on because now we have another tough game against Reading in the Premiership at home and then next week there is the Champions League game with PSV. "We have to put our heads up, but it will be hard because we [only] have a few days to save the rest of our season."
Of the fall-out from the brawl in Cardiff, the 30-year-old said diplomatically: "At the moment, the players have made no comment about the FA decision. "When you lose a game, you need to control yourself. "It is important to keep our mental strength and not get involved."