UEFA rejects Wenger appeal; ban stands

Published Sep. 5, 2011 4:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

UEFA has rejected Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's appeal against his two-match touchline ban.

UEFA said Monday that Wenger will be forced to miss the club's first two Champions League group games, against Borussia Dortmund and Olympiacos this month.

Wenger breached a previous one-match ban when he relayed messages to the Arsenal dugout from the grandstand during the first leg of the club's Champions League playoff against Udinese in London.

The club appealed against the new ban, and UEFA agreed to defer its decision until after the second leg of the playoff.