“I don’t believe in the charges,” Arsène Wenger on Manchester City’s trial

• Arsène Wenger has called for the Financial Fair Play (FFP) reform, argued that current regulations are complex
• Manchester City is undergoing a legal hearing related to 115 Premier League financial charges, expected to last 10 weeks
• The charges accuse City of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018, which the club denied, citing “irrefutable evidence”

The ongoing legal battle involving Manchester City and the Premier League over 115 alleged financial breaches has gripped the football world. 

As the charges hearing stretches on, Arsène Wenger has shared his thoughts, calling for a complete overhaul of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. 

Speaking during an appearance on beIN SPORTS on Wednesday night, October 23. Wenger argued that the current system in the Premier League is outdated and in dire need of reform.

The “Trial of the Century” started on September 16, with proceedings expected to last approximately 10 weeks. Manchester City faces accusations of a wide array of financial misconduct from 2009 to 2018, including misreporting player and manager payments, breaching profit and sustainability regulations, and failing to comply with UEFA’s FFP rules. City has denied all charges, claiming they have “irrefutable evidence” to support their defence.

Wenger expressed frustration with the current state of FFP in the Premier League, saying, 

“The rules of Financial Fair Play today have to be changed in the Premier League.”

He went on to suggest that English clubs are at a competitive disadvantage, particularly as other European leagues have modernised their financial regulations.

At the heart of the legal battle lies the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which regulate sponsorships from companies linked to club owners. Manchester City challenged these rules, and while they succeeded in having two aspects deemed unlawful by an independent tribunal, the Premier League maintained that the majority of the APT rules were upheld.

Wenger, never one to mince words, voiced his disbelief at the sheer number of charges levied against City, 

“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. 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.” he remarked. 

With the hearing set to conclude in early 2025, Manchester City is prepared to defend its position, confident that the charges will ultimately be dismissed. 

Man City faces uncertain future as Guardiola holds his cards to his chest

Previously, TheRadar reported that Manchester City’s future hangs in the balance as Pep Guardiola talks about the upcoming departure of Txiki Begiristain, the club’s long-serving director of football. 

While Begiristain’s influence will be missed, Guardiola is also facing questions about his own future. With his contract expiring at the end of the current 2024/2025 season, the Spanish manager has hinted at being “closer to leaving than staying” after securing City’s historic fourth consecutive Premier League title in May.