Wenger Fined £10,000

Arsene Wenger has avoided a touchline ban for his confrontation with Alan Pardew at Upton Park but the Arsenal manager was yesterday fined £10,000 by the Football Association, severely censured and warned about his future conduct after a disciplinary hearing into the incident.

Wenger had admitted a charge of improper conduct for aggressive and confrontational behaviour towards Pardew near the end of the 1-0 defeat at West Ham on November 5. "I got fined severely," Wenger said. " I said I regret it and I was over-reacting, so I accept the fine."

Pardew and Wenger needed to be separated by the fourth official after Pardew, who was sacked this week by West Ham, zealously celebrated a late winner by Marlon Harewood. Wenger later said he regretted his actions but that he felt provoked by Pardew's "disrespectful" behaviour and had reacted.

Pardew was charged in relation to the same incident but denied the charge and requested a personal hearing. He intends to proceed with that as planned next year but, if fined and out of work, would not have to pay until he returns to football.

Meanwhile Juventus have declared their interest in signing Javier Mascherano from West Ham. Officials from the Italian club have spoken to representatives of Media Sport Investment, the company that owns the Argentinian midfielder's registration and which has valued him at €30m (£20.1m). Fiorentina and Real Zaragoza are also believed to be interested in the player.

John Terry has denied an FA charge of improper conduct relating to comments he made about the referee Graham Poll after his red card at Tottenham last month. Chelsea's captain claimed Poll gave him conflicting reasons for his second caution and has requested a personal hearing.

Middlesbrough are understood to be keen on the possibility of taking Jérémie Aliadière on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window and have not been discouraged.

Gareth Southgate, who maintains his interest in Preston's David Nugent, is aiming to add some attacking pace to his side next month when Boro could lose Mark Viduka to Newcastle. Boro are bracing themselves for another offer for Stewart Downing from Tottenham, although the north London club would have to increase previous offers significantly.

Charles N'Zogbia, Newcastle's winger, could be out for some time after injuring a knee in Wednesday's defeat at Chelsea. N'Zogbia underwent scans yesterday but his manager, Glenn Roeder, fears he has sustained medial ligament damage. However Roeder hopes that Kieron Dyer and Scott Parker will be able to return for tomorrow's home match against Watford.