Wenger anger as FA ponders Henry charge

Arsenal manager attacks inconsistent disciplinary measures

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Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, yesterday called for an overhaul of the Football Association's disciplinary procedures after the FA announced it would investigate an alleged elbow thrown by Thierry Henry.

Television evidence suggested the Arsenal striker attempted to elbow John Robinson during the weekend match with Charlton. As the incident was not seen by the referee, Steve Dunn, no action was taken at the time. The FA will now decide if the incident should be referred to the video advisory panel.

Wenger's reaction was prompted by the revelation that David Beckham will not be investigated for a similar incident during Manchester United's match against Leeds United the same day. A free-kick was given against Beckham for elbowing Lee Bowyer but Beckham was not cautioned. The referee Jeff Winter has since said he did not believe the incident to be malicious or warranting further sanction.

An FA spokesman explained: "FA rules state that if a referee sees an incident as it occurs, takes a decision accordingly, and does not request it to be further examined after the match, no additional action can be taken. The [Beckham] matter is therefore closed."

Wenger said yesteday: "It is not logical. Either the referee can be overruled or he can't. Sometimes referees do not have the right angle. At the moment you can kill a player and get away with it if the referee is not in a good position."

Wenger, who suggested the League Managers' Association should be represented at the FA, believes every controversial incident should be reviewed by a video panel whether the referee has seen it or not. In this case, he stressed, he thought neither Beckham nor Henry guilty of an offence.

But, he added: "If Beckham had elbowed him, and the whole country can see it, why cannot the ref be over-ruled? At the moment the referee is master even when he is wrong.

Thierry's was a minor incident. The guy was pulling his shirt with both hands. Thierry just shrugged him off. I will be very surprised if he is charged."

Henry said: "I didn't touch him with my elbow and I'm sure the video will show that. All I did was push him back with my arm. There was no intent. We shook hands soon after and he even said 'good goal' after I scored."

Robinson, who later swapped shirts with Henry, said he hoped the FA would not pursue the issue. At the time he remonstrated with the referee indicating he had been elbowed but, yesterday, he said: "There wasn't anything in it. It was two players tussling for the ball. I think the FA should get on with something else and maybe not worry about an incident that wasn't there."

It will be a tricky decision for the FA. Television suggests Henry did attempt to elbow Robinson and would have made strong contact but for Robinson seeing it coming, and Henry perhaps thinking the better of it halfway through. But then, Beckham's elbow looks deliberate on video as well.

A decision may be reached today. With Arsenal playing Borussia Dortmund in their opening Champions' League game tonight, the club will hope the verdict puts Henry in a positive mood.