Wenger fined and rebuked
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-17 10:50

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been fined 15,000 pounds for improper conduct following comments he made after the champions' controversial 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in October.

File photo shows Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has been fined and reprimanded for comments he made after losing to arch rivals Manchester United in October. [Reuters]

Wenger was also "severely reprimanded and warned to his future conduct", the Football Association (FA) said on Thursday following a personal hearing.

The Frenchman had faced the charges after reportedly calling United's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat. Wenger denied he said this.

Speaking after the verdict, Wenger told Arsenal's website: "Now is the time to move on. We have an important match coming up and all my thoughts are focused on our preparation for the visit to Portsmouth on Sunday."

Arsenal said Wenger would not appeal against the FA's decision.

United's win at Old Trafford, secured by a controversial Van Nistelrooy penalty and a late goal by England striker Wayne Rooney, ended Arsenal's record 49-match unbeaten league run and triggered a slump in form.

Wenger was also investigated by the FA over comments he made about referee Mike Riley's decision to award the penalty, and the ruling body looked into reports that food was thrown at United manager Alex Ferguson in the tunnel after the game.

The FA decided last month not to take either matter further.

Arsenal hotly contested the 73rd-minute penalty after Rooney appeared to trip over Arsenal's England defender Sol Campbell.

Van Nistelrooy, who missed a penalty when last season's corresponding fixture ended 0-0, made no mistake from the spot, and Rooney scored United's second goal in stoppage time. Van Nistelrooy was suspended for three matches for a high tackle on Arsenal defender Ashley Cole during the same game.

United and Arsenal have dominated English football in recent years. Their rivalry has been particularly intense since last season's Old Trafford match descended into a fracas which led to four Arsenal players being banned and the club fined

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