Wenger called referee 'not honest' and 'a disgrace' in rant

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accused a referee of being "not honest" and called him "a disgrace" in a rant inside the match officials' changing room that led to a three-match touchline ban for one of English soccer's most experienced coaches.

The English Football Association published Tuesday the written reasons behind its decision to ban Wenger for being abusive toward referee Mike Dean after Arsenal's 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Dec. 31.

In his match report given to the FA, Dean said Wenger "was pointing aggressively at me saying, 'You're not honest' on numerous occasions." Dean then said Wenger said "you've done this to us many times before, you're supposed to be professional, you're a disgrace."

Wenger had been incensed at Calum Chambers being penalized for a handball and West Brom converting the resulting penalty to equalize late in the game.

The FA said "there is simply no justification for this behavior" and considered a stadium ban for Wenger.

Wenger was also fined 40,000 pounds ($54,200) for his conduct.