FanHouse Alex Ferguson

WEMBLEY, England (AP) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was banned from the bench for four games - two of them suspended - and fined $32,000 on Thursday for criticizing the fitness of referee Alan Wiley after a Premier League game.

Ferguson received the punishment when he appeared before a Football Association disciplinary panel at Wembley Stadium on a misconduct charge.

Is it possible Sir Alex Ferguson pressed one of those annoying Staples buttons in the dressing room before Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal because, boy, that sure looked easy. Almost too easy, as the Red Devils strolled to a 3-1 win and 4-1 on aggregate and move onto the final in Rome with the chance to defend their trophy from last season.

Update: Follow second leg of their Champions League semifinal match.

There are big games, and then there are big games. It's safe to classify Wednesday's Champions League semifinal between English powers Manchester United and Arsenal in the latter category. Oddly enough this is the first time the two rivals will meet in European competition.

Manchester United, the defending champions, haven't lost in the Champions League in 23 matches, which is a record. It's also the 37th meeting between managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman owns a slim advantage in the wins category at 14-13.

The action kicks off in Manchester at 2:45 PM ET, and we'll be blogging shortly beforehand.