Wenger fined for remarks

Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has been fined £15,000 and “severely reprimanded” by the Football Association for comments about Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Wenger was found guilty of an improper conduct charge after he accused the Manchester United player of ‘cheating’ during Arsenal’s 2-1 dfeat to Manchester United in October.

He said of the Dutchman: “We all know him, he can only cheat people”.

Wenger did not atttend the hearing, but was punished in his absence, with the FA also warning him as to his future conduct.

The Arsenal manager had previously insisted: “I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. It is not a big problem in my mind. I just said what I felt on the day.

“At some stage, you have to say what you think without insulting people. I’ve read my statements again and I stand by what I said. I just don’t know really what I’m charged with.”