Arsene Wenger Gets 3-Match Ban, £40,000 Fine for Confrontation with Mike Dean

Arsene Wenger has been handed a three-match touchline ban and ordered to pay a fine of £40,000 by the FA after the Arsenal manager's confrontation with referee Mike Dean following the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Eve, per Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror.

A statement from the FA (h/t James Benge of the London Evening Standard) detailed why Wenger has been punished:

"It follows an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today at which the Arsenal manager admitted that his language and behaviour in the match officials' changing room after the West Brom game on Sunday was abusive, improper and questioned the integrity of the match referee."

Benge confirmed Wenger will now miss Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Nottingham Forest, followed by the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Wednesday. Finally, the Gunners boss will have to watch from a distance when his side travel to Bournemouth in the league on Sunday, January 14.

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The ban prompted this moment of humour from Championship side Forest.

Wenger was left enraged by Dean's decision to award the Baggies a penalty in the penultimate minute for an apparent handball by centre-back Calum Chambers. Jay Rodriguez equalised from the spot, prompting 68-year-old Wenger to say the referee "saw what he wanted to see," per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen.

The Arsenal boss was subsequently critical of the standard of officiating in England's top flight, saying some were still living in the "1950s," according to BBC Sport.

Wenger's problems with the officials may not be over after he lamented Anthony Taylor's decision to award Eden Hazard a penalty during the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Wednesday.

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The Frenchman called the decision "farcical" and was asked by the FA to explain his comments, per BBC Sport. Wenger served a four-match ban after ranting at Taylor during a 2-1 win over Burnley last season.

Arsenal will hope his latest ban isn't increased, while Wenger brings his feud with the officials to a close.