Arsene Wenger: UEFA were right to ban Manchester City
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has offered his view on Manchester City’s two-season ban from the UEFA Champions League and said that clubs must be punished if they fail to respect the rules.
The Citizens have been banned from UEFA club competitions and fined €30 million (£24.9 million) for breaking financial fair play rules (FFP), and Wenger spoke about the decision at the Laureus Sports Awards in Berlin, per Mark Staniforth at The Independent.
“The rules are what they are and you have to respect them.
“People who are caught trying to get around the rules in more or less legal ways have to be punished, if it is proven that this has been done on purpose.
“I think sport is basically to win by respecting the rules – we celebrate the best in every sport and we want to know that they respect the rules.
“If there is no respect for the rules it is not real sport. If you go into a competition it is a sign that you respect the rules.”
Manchester City said they were not surprised at UEFA’s decision and have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Athletic’s Sam Lee has said Manchester City are confident of overturning the ban:
News of Manchester City’s ban sent shock waves through the footballing world and has fuelled speculation over the future of manager Pep Guardiola and some of the team’s key players.
Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until the summer of 2021, but it includes a clause that allows him to walk away at the end of the current campaign. However, he has told friends he intends to stay at the club despite the ban, according to Simon Stone at BBC Sport.
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s future has also come under scrutiny due to clauses in his contract relating to Champions League football, as highlighted by journalist Kristof Terreur:
Kristof Terreur 📰🎥@HLNinEngeland According to Football Leaks: Kevin De Bruyne gets £1.25m-£1.5m per year for CL qualification on top of his basic wages.If City win the CL, he gets £1m. He might miss out on at least 10% of his guaranteed wages (loyalty fee + image rights included).No other clauses.#mcfc
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward has responded to speculation Real Madrid could try to take advantage of the situation and sign the England international.
read also; Breaking: Man City banned from Champions League for two seasons
Ward told the Mirror’s John Cross: “Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment.”