Wenger slams 'stupid' Birmingham fans

Arsene Wenger described the actions of Birmingham City fans as "atrocious" after they chanted the name of Martin Taylor, the defender whose tackle broke Eduardo's leg, during Saturday's Premier League match.

Taylor's tackle in February last year left Arsenal's Brazil-born Croatia striker with an horrific leg injury that initially appeared to be career-ending.

Birmingham fans sang "There's only one Martin Taylor..." during a break in play at the Emirates after Theo Walcott received treatment after a full-bloodied tackle by Liam Ridgewell.

"That was frankly atrocious," Arsenal manager Wenger told Arsenal's website (www.arsenal.com) on Monday. "They (the Birmingham fans) will not be remembered for the quality of their taste with that kind of remark. I didn't say a word when I heard the chant, I just thought 'that's low'."

Eduardo, who returned in February this year after 12 months recuperation, did not play against Birmingham on Saturday but was inside the stadium.

"I don't know how he felt about the chants. I just put that in the ranks of stupidity, you want to forget about it and not talk too much about it because there's not a lot to say.

"With people like that, one starts to say something stupid, everybody follows, even intelligent people. People lose their identity together, and their sense of responsibility."

Ferguson charged over referee remarks

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Monday for the comments he made about referee Alan Wiley after United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland this month.

In a post-match interview Ferguson accused Wiley of not being fit enough although he did apologise for causing Wiley "any personal embarrassment" a week later in a statement issued by the club.

In his statement Ferguson said he had merely been trying to highlight an important issue in the game.

"My only intention in speaking publicly, was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that fitness levels of the referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game," he said.

The FA said Ferguson has until November 3 to respond to the charge