Born in France · Nationality French — Sport / sports governance

Arsène Wenger

Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “Verbal abuse of Mike Dean after West Brom” and “Altercation with fourth official Anthony Taylor”.

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Profile No. 2861 · Updated on 12 October 2026

9Documented controversies

13Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

December 2017–January 2018

Verbal abuse of Mike Dean after West Brom

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following the draw against West Brom, Wenger enters the referees' dressing room and accuses Mike Dean of being dishonest. He admits that his language and behaviour were abusive and improper; the FA imposes a three-match suspension and a 40 000-pound fine.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianArsène Wenger hit with three-game touchline ban for abuse of refereePressHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianArsène Wenger called referee Mike Dean ‘a disgrace’ after West Brom penaltyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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January 2017

Altercation with fourth official Anthony Taylor

Civil / administrative proceedings

After being sent off against Burnley, Wenger has an altercation with fourth official Anthony Taylor and pushes him while attempting to remain in the tunnel. He admits the misconduct charge and receives a four-match touchline ban and a fine of 25 000 pounds.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianArsène Wenger hit with immediate four-game touchline ban by FAPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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5 October 2014

Physical confrontation with José Mourinho at Stamford Bridge

No legal proceedings

During Chelsea–Arsenal, Wenger leaves his technical area and pushes José Mourinho in a touchline confrontation following a tackle on Alexis Sánchez.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianArsène Wenger refuses to apologise for José Mourinho shoving matchPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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March 2012

Three-match UEFA suspension and fine after Arsenal–Milan

Civil / administrative proceedings

UEFA imposes a three-match suspension and a 40 000-euro fine on Wenger for improper conduct following the Champions League round-of-16 second leg against AC Milan.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
UEFAThree-match suspension for WengerSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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March 2011

UEFA sanction after the match against Barcelona

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following Arsenal's elimination by Barcelona, Wenger is sanctioned by UEFA for improper conduct and receives a one-match suspension and a fine of 10 000 euros.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
UEFAWenger, Nasri and Jordan suspended for one matchSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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August–September 2011

Further UEFA suspension for communicating while suspended

Civil / administrative proceedings

While serving a suspension, Wenger communicates with his bench during the match against Udinese. UEFA finds that he failed to comply with the disciplinary decision and imposes two additional match suspensions; the appeal by Arsenal and Wenger is rejected.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
UEFAWenger suspended for next two matchesSports governing bodyVery high reliability
[2]
UEFAArsenal, Wenger appeal rejected by Appeals BodySports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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August 2009

Sending-off for kicking a bottle, followed by an apology from refereeing officials

Civil / administrative proceedings

Wenger is sent off late in a match at Old Trafford after kicking a water bottle in frustration. The head of English referees subsequently acknowledges that the handling of the situation was a mistake and announces an apology.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianArsène Wenger to receive apology for dismissal, says LMA's Richard BevanPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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27 November–18 December 2007

Sending-off against Sevilla and UEFA suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

During the Champions League match in Seville, Wenger is sent from the technical area after repeatedly leaving it and protesting against refereeing decisions. UEFA subsequently imposes a one-match suspension.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
UEFAOne-match ban for WengerSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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October–December 2005

War of words with José Mourinho and threatened defamation action

No legal proceedings

A prolonged dispute arises between Wenger and José Mourinho following Wenger's comments about Chelsea. Mourinho calls him a 'voyeur'; Wenger consults lawyers and considers legal action before deciding against it.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 3

[1]
The GuardianWenger is a voyeur, snipes MourinhoPressHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianWenger won't see Mourinho in courtPressHigh reliability
[3]
The GuardianMourinho regrets 'voyeur' commentsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 17 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)

III. Has something changed?

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