Soccer

Arsène Wenger apologises for sideline row with José Mourinho

Frenchman tells French TV show ‘too much importance’ given to story

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (right) faces off against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London, earlier this month. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (right) faces off against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London, earlier this month. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Mon Oct 13 2014 - 11:47

Arsène Wenger has apologised for his sideline disagreement with José Mourinho last weekend but added that he felt provoked by the Portuguese.

The Frenchman, told French television show Téléfoot, said: “They gave too much importance to this story. In hindsight I think I should not have reacted at all, it’s not a way to behave on a football field.

“I always regret any signs of violence and I apologise, but that’s a part of games where everything is manic. And then we have quite a substantial past. Did Mourinho provoke me? That is how I felt. I did not enter Chelsea’s technical area.”

The two managers clashed at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea won 2-0 last Sunday. It is not the first time they have not seen eye to eye and Mourinho last season branded Wenger "a specialist in failure".

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