Wenger sticks to guns over linesman slur

LONDON COLNEY, England, Mar 2 (Reuters) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came out fighting after being challenged by the English FA to explain himself over calling a linesman a liar after last Sunday's controversial League Cup final.

Wenger told a media conference he wanted to protect the reputation of his players and the club.

Wenger said Emmanuel Adebayor did not throw a punch nor intend to throw a punch at Chelsea stand-in captain Frank Lampard during a brawl at the end of the game.

''And I can prove this,'' Wenger said.

Adebayor, team mate Kolo Toure and Chelsea's John Obi Mikel were sent off after the brawl during the closing stages of Chelsea's 2-1 win.

The linesman's report said Adebayor's attitude had been aggressive and he had aimed a punch at Lampard, the FA said.

Today Wenger said the FA's disciplinary system was unfair and dishonest.

''This system is not fair nor honest and it is all wrong,'' the French coach said.

Wenger added he would explain all his views on the subject to the FA as they had requested.

Reuters PDS DB2101