UEFA freezes Wenger's ban

Nyon - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will return to the dugout for a Champions League playoff match against Udinese on Wednesday.

UEFA said on Tuesday that its appeals panel has frozen Wenger's challenge against a two-match touchline ban which it imposed on Monday.

"The appeals body will take a decision in due time, but not before Arsenal's UEFA Champions League game," the European football authority said in a statement.

The stay of execution clears Wenger to work while UEFA considers the club's appeal, with Arsenal defending a 1-0 lead in Wednesday's second leg at Stadio Friuli.

Wenger breached a previous one-match ban when he relayed messages to the Arsenal dugout from the grandstand during the first leg in London last week.

The terms of a UEFA ban allow managers to watch in the stadium but not communicate with players or coaches by entering the dressing room or dugout.

UEFA is likely to hear Wenger's appeal before Arsenal are scheduled to begin their group stage of either the Champions League or Europa League in the week beginning Sept. 12.