Arsene Wenger yesterday became the first target of the FA's new clampdown aimed at protecting referees as he was charged with "alleged physical intimidation" towards the fourth official following Arsenal's game at Sunderland.
Having vigorously defended almost all of the 31 players sent off since he took over as Arsenal boss, Wenger now finds himself in the dock. If found guilty, he could - under the FA's new punishment guidelines - be banned from the touchline for up to 12 games and fined four weeks' wages.
Wenger was angered at the Stadium of Light by the late sending-off of Patrick Vieira after the midfielder, who was again dismissed two days later at Highbury, swung out an arm in retaliation at Sunderland's Darren Williams.
The Arsenal boss, who denies the accusations, is alleged to have physically confronted fourth official Paul Taylor in the tunnel immediately after the game near to the Arsenal dressing-room.
The FA said in a statement: "Following a report by the fourth official at last Saturday's Sunderland versus Arsenal match, Arsene Wenger has been charged with a breach of FA rules. . . It refers to what is alleged to have been threatening behaviour and physical intimidation."
"The manager is surprised by the charge but he is looking forward to giving the FA a full and detailed explanation of events at Sunderland," an Arsenal spokeswoman said.
While Arsenal are also appealing against Vieira's dismissal at the Stadium of Light, they could still find themselves with a further charge on their hands though.
The FA's new video review panel have been asked to look at an incident during Monday's game, in which Gilles Grimandi appeared to tread on Gary McAllister's hand after the foul on Vieira which led to the Liverpool midfielder's red card.
The referee for that game, Graham Poll, yesterday launched a vehement defence of his performance in the controversial clash.
Though Poll admits the decision to dismiss Dietmar Hamman for a second yellow card in the second half was a mistake, he is adamant that the expulsions of McAllister and Vieira were justified.
