UEFA delay Wenger ban but Wilshere ruled out

The London club and European football’s governing body confirmed the decision last night, after Arsenal appealed against the ban given to Wenger for breaking the terms of an earlier suspension during the first leg of their tie last week. Arsenal hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

The Frenchman was found guilty of failing to abide by UEFA rules surrounding his original ban – imposed after last season’s last-16 defeat to Barcelona – after they decided he had passed messages to the dug-out during the match at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Wenger claimed UEFA had told him he was permitted to relay instructions to assistant manager Pat Rice through first-team coach Boro Primorac, who was in telephone contact with the Arsenal bench.

The stay of execution offers the French coach some respite after a difficult period which has seen the Gunners lose their captain, Cesc Fabregas, and midfielder Samir Nasri, who is on the verge of a move to Manchester City.

Jack Wilshere looks certain to miss England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales after Wenger revealed he expected the midfielder to be out for another two to three weeks.

The 19-year-old’s absence would be a big blow to England, already without Steven Gerrard for the matches against Bulgaria on September 2 and Wales four days later.

Arsenal were fined £30,000 by the Football Association yesterday for failing to control their players against Newcastle – who were given the same punishment – on the opening weekend of the season.