Advertisement
Wenger has questioned Man City's loan signing of Lampard from New York. Adam Davy
Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger queries Man City's Frank Lampard signing

“Is it a way to get around UEFA’s Financial Fair Play? I don’t know.”

ARSENAL MANAGER ARSENE Wenger on Sunday queried the arrangement that has allowed former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard to join Manchester City on loan from their sister club New York City.

As well as Lampard’s move to the Etihad Stadium, New York have also loaned Spanish striker David Villa to Melbourne City. All three clubs are owned by the City Football Group, a holding company of City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group.

Wenger, whose side face City in next weekend’s Community Shield, suggested that the partnerships could give the Premier League champions an unfair advantage.

Asked for his reaction to Lampard’s move, he replied: “It’s a surprise. But it looks like all these ‘City’ clubs will feed the main club, Man City. I heard that they want to buy five clubs all over the world.

“I don’t know the rules well enough. They bought a franchise (New York City) for $100 million (74 million euros) in the States to play next season.

“At the moment the players they sign cannot play until next year, so they register in the clubs where they put them and they can get out on loan.

“Is it a way to get around (European governing body UEFA’s Financial) Fair Play? I don’t know.”

Asked if Arsenal would like to set up their own network of clubs, he responded: “We’re happy to dedicate the money we make just to run our club. There’s not a lot of surplus to buy other clubs.”

Wenger was speaking at a press conference after his side’s 1-0 loss to Monaco in the Emirates Cup friendly tournament at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

- © AFP, 2014

Falcao scores comeback goal to sink Arsenal>

Happy birthday Eamon Dunphy! Here are 18 of your most memorable quotes>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
32
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.