Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his actions at the end of the Barclays Premier League match with Sunderland on Saturday.
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The Gunners boss was fuming after his side conceded a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the Stadium of Light, which denied them the chance to go top of the table.
Wenger appeared to sarcastically pat Martin Atkinson on the back as Darren Bent's goal came 15 seconds after the allotted four minutes, and was also critical in his post-match comments.
Under the FA's new fast-track disciplinary procedures Wenger could accept the charge and a one-match touchline ban and £8,000 fine
A statement on www.thefa.com read: "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged with using insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour amounting to improper conduct.
"The charges relate to Wenger's conduct towards match officials at the conclusion of Arsenal's match against Sunderland on September 18.
"Under the FA's new fast-track procedures, Wenger has until Thursday, September 23 to respond to the charge and he has been offered a standard sanction of a one-match touchline ban and an £8,000 fine should he accept the charge.
"If he denies the charge, the case will be heard by a Regulatory Commission."
Source: PA
