Arsenal have confirmed they will appeal UEFA's decision to impose a two-match touchline ban on manager Arsene Wenger but confusion reigns as to whether the Gunners boss will be in the dugout for Wednesday's Champions League play-off second leg against Udinese.
European football's governing body held a disciplinary hearing in Switzerland this morning at which they decided Wenger breached the terms of his previous touchline ban in last week's first leg at Emirates Stadium.
The 61-year-old did not attend the meeting, at which the club were also fined £8,735 after Wenger was found guilty of communicating with assistant Pat Rice on the bench during Arsenal's 1-0 victory over the Italians.
Arsenal indicated they plan to challenge the decision but a club source told Standard Sport this morning that UEFA were "unclear" as to the timescale of any appeal procedure.
Consequently, it is uncertain whether Wenger will watch from the stands in Italy as Arsenal try to reach the Champions League group stage for the 14th consecutive season. A UEFA statement read: "Today's decision was taken in relation to the Arsenal manager not abiding by the decision of the Control and Disciplinary Body during the English club's UEFA Champions League play-off game against Udinese Calcio last Tuesday.
"Wenger is therefore suspended for Arsenal's second-leg match against Udinese in Italy on Wednesday and then the next UEFA competition fixture for which he would be eligible."
Arsenal have "three days within dispatch of the reasoned decision" to appeal the punishment and it is as yet unclear whether a second hearing could be organised to prompt a delay in the ban coming into effect, allowing him to take charge against Udinese.
Wenger was reprimanded after appearing to pass messages in the directors' box to first-team coach Boro Primorac, who then in turn communicated with the bench.
