Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger allowed on touchline for Udinese clash as UEFA agrees to delay appeal process

Posted Wednesday, August 24, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

UEFA has allowed Arsene Wenger to take his place in the dugout for Arsenal's Champions League second leg qualifier against Udinese after the Gunners boss appealed the two-match touchline ban given to him earlier this week.

The appeal will now be heard after the match, allowing the Frenchman to stand pitch-side as his side tries to hold on to its 1-0 lead from the first leg.

Wenger had been given the punishment for failing to correctly adhere to UEFA's original one-match ban, which followed comments he had made after Arsenal's Champions League exit to Barcelona last season.

He was seen in the director's box during the home match against Udinese last week passing messages to a member of staff, which were then sent down to the dug-out.

Wenger said he had checked with UEFA beforehand to make sure it was acceptable and later said he was surprised when European football's governing body decided to charge him for doing so.

But for now he will able to focus on what is a crucial match for the Gunners without having to worry that he could not communicate with the team.

Regarding the appeal, a statement on UEFA's website read: "The UEFA Appeals Body has granted a stay of execution to the appeal lodged earlier today by Arsenal FC and their manager Arsène Wenger."