Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger today begins his case against a 12-month touchline ban on the first day of a two-day appeal at the FA's headquarters in London.
Wenger was charged under newly introduced FA punishment guidelines with "alleged threatening behaviour and physical intimidation" towards fourth official Paul Taylor after the Gunners' 1-0 defeat at Sunderland's Stadium of Light last August.
Arsenal were incensed at the late dismissal of Patrick Vieira. Wenger later argued that Sunderland's Darren Williams had over-reacted to get the Frenchman sent off.
Fourth official Taylor reported Wenger for allegedly physically shoving him in the tunnel.
However, the Arsenal boss insists that, along with Taylor, he was simply intervening in a row developing between Thierry Henry and Williams.
Wenger insists he will trust in the "justice of the FA" as he trys to avoid punishment after the reported tunnel incident.
He declared: "I will just try to defend myself as I feel that I have the right to do. It was a very strong punishment, a huge one.
"I've been in football management for 18 years and I've never had a disciplinary problem."
Wenger has been backed by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, also vice-chairman of the FA.