Arsene Wenger has spoken out on Manchester City’s ongoing 115 Premier League charges hearing, with the former Arsenal manager calling for Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules to change in English football.
City‘s so-called ‘Trial of the Century’ began on September 16 is set to last around 10 weeks, with a verdict expected in early 2025.
The charges mainly relate to a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, with City accused of various rule breaches – all of which the club strenuously deny.
City have been accused of failing to provide accurate financial information, failing to provide accurate details for player and manager payments, breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR), failing to comply with UEFA regulations including financial fair play (FFP) and failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger, who is now serving as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, spoke about the ongoing hearing during an appearance on beIN SPORTS on Wednesday night.
The Frenchman questioned the Premier League’s FFP regulations and believes the league could be putting itself at a disadvantage compared to other rival competitions.
He also questioned if City are likely to be found guilty of all charges, referencing their separate legal battle with the Premier League over Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which saw both sides claim victory earlier this month.
City, who are owned by the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, argued that the League’s APT rules – which cover funding through sponsorship of companies owned by club bosses – were unlawful and discriminatory.
The defending Premier League champions were successful in having some of their complaints upheld at an independent tribunal, with two aspects of the APT rules deemed unlawful.
However, the Premier League said the tribunal rejected the majority of City’s challenges and “endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system”.
Wenger told beIN SPORTS: “I feel the rules of Financial Fair Play today have to be changed in the Premier League.
“Because they now face competition from other leagues, who have changed their Financial Fair Play rules.
“At the moment you cannot hear a club like Man City being charged by 115 different charges in a football season. I don’t believe in that.
Arsene Wenger has questioned the Premier League’s FFP rules (Image: Getty)
“The Premier League already lost a case, the first case against them. I don’t know them [City], I can’t judge them.
“I just think, 115 different charges against a football club today looks like we are in an international administration.
“Financial Fair Play rules have to be changed and made more simple.
“They [City owners] came in and they had not faced any Financial Fair Play nor have Chelsea.
“Chelsea, they bought my players [from Arsenal] and Chelsea also bought what they wanted because there was no Financial Fair Play rules.”
City claim they have “irrefutable evidence” to support their defence in their 115 charges hearing and “look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all” in the coming months.