Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will return to the dugout for a Champions League playoff match against Udinese Wednesday. UEFA said Tuesday that its appeals panel has frozen Wenger's challenge against a two-match touchline ban which it imposed Monday. “The appeals body will take a decision in due time, but not before Arsenal's UEFA Champions League game,” the European football authority said in a statement. The stay of execution clears Wenger to work while UEFA considers the club's appeal, with Arsenal defending a 1-0 lead in Wednesday's second leg at Stadio Friuli. UEFA is likely to hear Wenger's appeal before Arsenal is scheduled to begin the group stage of either the Champions League or Europa League in the week beginning Sept. 12. Newcastle, Arsenal fined Newcastle and Arsenal were both fined £30,000 by the Football Association (FA) Tuesday after being found guilty of failing to control their players in the ill-tempered goalless draw at St James' Park on August 13. Arsenal forward Gervinho was sent-off in the second half for striking Magpies midfielder Joey Barton after the pair had squared up following what Newcastle claimed was a dive. Arsenal midfielder Alex Song was also slapped with a three-match ban for stamping on Barton's leg in an incident not seen by referee Peter Walton. But now both clubs have been fined following a mass confrontation.
