Wenger to receive apology after Man Utd dismissal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to receive an apology from Premier League referees chief Keith Hackett following his dismissal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has spoken to Hackett about the Old Trafford incident which saw Wenger sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean on the advice of fourth official Lee Probert.

And he has been told that Wenger will receive an apology from the Premier Game Match Officials Board which appoints officials to top-flight games in England.

The Gunners boss caught Probert’s attention when he kicked an empty water bottle down the touchline following a disallowed goal for Arsenal in the final minutes.

On the decision to penalise Wenger, Bevan said: “Although correct in ‘law’, it was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Arsene Wenger should sit.

“I’ve spoken to Keith Hackett and he fully recognises the situation was an error and an apology will follow to Arsene Wenger.

“Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation and created a needless pressure point taking the focus away from the pitch in a big event with only a minute to go.”