Wenger slapped with 4-match touchline ban

The English Football Association has sent a clear message Friday: Don't touch our match officials.

On the heels of an incident during Arsenal's last-second victory over Burnley last Sunday, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has received a four-match ban for making contact with fourth official Anthony Taylor.

The FA announced the decision Friday with a statement on its website, claiming that the ban will take immediate effect, meaning Wenger will not be on the bench for Arsenal's FA Cup match Saturday at Southampton.

Wenger has also been given a £25,000 fine after the veteran Frenchman refused to appeal the FA's charge earlier in the week.

"It was alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official," the statement read.

"It was further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct."

After Burnley was given a penalty in injury time courtesy of a daft tackle by Francis Coquelin, an incensed Wenger approached Taylor before placing his hands on the official after being asked to head down the tunnel at the Emirates Stadium.

In addition to missing Saturday's tilt at St. Mary's, Wenger will also be forced to watch from the stands for a visit from Watford, next weekend's trip across London to Chelsea and a home match against Hull City. In his absence, Wenger's assistant and former Arsenal centre-half Steve Bould is likely to take the helm.