FA charges Wenger over post-United slur

Wenger was highly critical of referee Mike Riley, whose penalty award to United after Wayne Rooney went down under a minimal challenge from Sol Campbell saw Ruud Van Nistelrooy score from the spot in the 73rd minute.

Wenger also made scathing comments about United striker Van Nistelrooy who himself was banned for three games for an ugly tackle on Ashley Cole.

Wenger had declared in a later BBC TV interview: “We know how Ruud Van Nistelrooy behaves. He can only cheat people — we know him very well.”

The Frenchman’s comments and an incident in the tunnel which led to United manager Alex Ferguson being hit with food thrown by an Arsenal player were subjects of investigations. No further disciplinary action is expected following the FA’s investigation of the alleged tunnel incident, although both clubs have been invited to attend a peace meeting.

Wenger, who has until November 18 to respond to the charge, will face a possible fine and official censure from the fa if he is found guilty. The FA are determined to clear the air following then controversial Old Trafford clash on October 24, which itself followed the ugly melee in the same fixture last season.

The FA announced on their website, http://www.thefa.com: “Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged with a breach of FA rule E3 for improper conduct. The charge relates to his comment about Manchester United’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy in a post-match media interview after the Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday, October 24.

“He has until November 23 to respond to the charge. There will be no formal disciplinary action on any other matters related to the match. However, FA chairman Geoff Thompson has written to both clubs to request a meeting with their representatives and the Premier League to avoid any repeat of the adverse publicity that surrounded the game.”