| Date | Time | C | Opponent | F | A | R | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Feb | 3:00 PM | LC | Chelsea (N) | 1 | 2 | Lost |
Speaking about his upcoming misconduct charge with the Football Association, Arsène Wenger says that the justice system in place do not allow clubs to defend themselves.
Wenger revealed that Arsenal had produced graphic evidence of striker Emmanuel Adebayor's innocence but the FA had decided to charge him anyway.
Adebayor was charged with violent conduct by attempting to hit Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard during the Carling Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea.
But despite the Frenchman's grievings, he says that the club would not be appealing against the £100,000 fine imposed on the club for failing to control its players.
Wenger said: "We will not appeal against the fine of the club.
"We always get hammered and we say 'thank you very much'.
"They have my credit card number, and we will say 'how much do you need this week? Let's do it'.
"Sometimes they are in a position where they have to support the wrong decisions at the FA because they have no choice.
"Like with Adebayor, we proved the decision was wrong, with an independent criminologist.
"When we came in, we showed the three-game ban was wrong. They say, 'no you are here for refusing to leave the field of play' so what can you do?
"That is why I said the system is not right, is not honest because when you appeal you have no chance to attend the appeal.
"We appealed, but we could still not defend our position and that is not right. We had no chance to sit there and explain why you appeal.
"I have to accept the system.
"You have to adapt to the rules of the country where you work - but you can still have your opinion and defend it.
"We used image by image to prove that Adebayor tried to separate Cesc [Fabregas] from all that was happening.
"The FA saw that evidence, but they still went ahead and also gave him one more game.
"It was a mistake. The referee acknowledged it was a mistake - but still he got suspended for three games.
"On top he got one, for refusing to leave the field of play. That one we do not contest. It was deserved.
"But the initial decision punished us already for three games, which he should not have got."
Quote
It was a mistake. The referee acknowledged it was a mistake - but still he got suspended for three games.
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