Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger hits out at Premier League over Manchester City’s 115 charges | OneFootball

Premier League icon and Arsenal managerial legend Arsene Wenger has hit out at the English top-flight over the charges issued upon Manchester City.

Manchester City were first issued with charges surrounding allegations of over 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules following a four-year investigation back in February 2023, and were referred to an independent commission.

City said at the time that they were both “surprised” by the charges and are supported by a “body of irrefutable evidence”, in a stance that has been maintained right through to the point of the commission and hearing beginning earlier this Autumn.

In a statement issued in February 2023, the Etihad Stadium club said, “Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.

“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

Whilst much of the football world has been hugely critical of City over charges that are yet to be proven in any way to date, and while some others have remained impartial and await a formal decision, one prominent figure has offered his take in favour of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Speaking this week as part of beIN SPORTS’ Champions League coverage, Arsene Wenger insisted Financial Fair Play rules in the Premier League must be changed, with the Arsenal legend not believing a club such as City should be charged with their alleged breaches.

“I feel the rules of Financial Fair Play today have to be changed in the Premier League. Because they face now competitions from other leagues who have changed the Financial Fair Play rules,” Wenger insisted.

Coming out in clear support of the Etihad Stadium club, the former Arsenal manager continued, “At the moment you cannot see a club like Man City being charged by 115 charges, different charges in the football season.

“I don’t believe in that; that a clever club, a well-managed, a well-run club. The Premier League has lost already a case, the first case against them which is more linked with commercial activities.”

Arsene Wenger is referencing the legal battle between Manchester City and the Premier League over the competitions rules on Associated Party Transactions (APT), with both sides claiming victory earlier this month following the publishing of an arbitration panel’s decision.

Manchester City had some complaints upheld at the decision, with two aspects of the APT rules deemed ‘unlawful’ by a tribunal, while the Premier League champions claimed in a club statement that their legal action had “succeeded”.

However, from the side of the Premier League, the English top-flight also welcomed the tribunal’s findings, believing that the tribunal had rejected the majority of City’s challenges and “endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system”.

In light of statements issued by both sides, Manchester City went on to accuse the Premier League of being “misleading” over the verdict, writing to top-flight clubs criticising the league’s summary of the panel’s ruling, saying it contains “several inaccuracies”.