Arsene Wenger’s comments on Man City resurface as Everton docked points over FFP

The legendary ex-Arsenal manager has long been an advocate of Financial Fair Play and previously explained how those guilty of breaching the rules should be punished

Arsene Wenger’s past claims surrounding Manchester City’s relationship with Financial Fair Play rules have emerged once again amid Everton’s recent 10-point deduction.

The Toffees were slapped with the severe punishment following a decision from an independent commission who deemed the club had breached financial rules, though it has inevitably not gone down well with those running things at Goodison Park. The club feel there are a number of mitigating factors that justify their spending and believe a sporting punishment in response to off-field issues is unjust.

A statement released by the Premier League sheds light on Everton ‘s offences in more detail, it read: “Following a five-day hearing last month, the commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR [profit and sustainability rules] calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5m, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105m permitted under the PSRs.

“The commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.”

In the immediate aftermath of the deduction, many fans from all different clubs have questioned why Everton have been hit with the largest points deduction in Premier League history, but City – who have 115 alleged offences hanging over their head, currently remain unscathed.

Everton’s own statement added their intention to “monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases”. The reality is that given the large number of alleged breaches by City, that investigation will take a lot longer to conclude than the single offence committed by the Toffees.

City have long had question marks lingering over whether they have abided by FFP rules and just three years ago Arsenal icon Wenger gave his thoughts on the situation. “I think sport is to win by respecting the rules, that’s what it is about,” the Frenchman explained.

He went on to add: “I was always in favour of control of the financial rules and that the clubs work with the natural income that they have. The rules have been created, I am convinced there is an evolution to be made in the way the rules are at the moment, but they are what they are and you have to respect them.

“People don’t respect them and if they are caught trying to get around the rules in more or less legal ways – they have to be punished. If it is proven that this has been done on purpose, we cannot let that go unpunished.”

Wenger did see the funny side however, as he jokingly implied he had little sympathy for City and the allegations against them as they ‘”bought all my players”.