Very timely
Arsene Wenger’s comments on Manchester City have resurfaced following Everton’s recent points deduction.
The Toffees were sanctioned with a 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules which now leaves them 19th in the table, above Burnley on goal difference only.
Everton confirmed in a statement that they would appeal the decision after claiming that they could justify their spending and that a punishment that directly affects them on the pitch for an off-pitch incident is unfair.
Club Statement. https://t.co/RpHdLJRurc pic.twitter.com/hyFfl9vWxO
— Everton (@Everton) November 17, 2023
Fans across the country questioned the decision to impose the sanction – the largest in Premier League history – on the Merseyside club while Man City, who have 115 alleged charges against their name, have escaped punishment.
In their statement, Everton said that they would “monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases” but given the amount of alleged breaches made by last season’s Treble winners, any outcome made will take a lot longer to decide.
City have continuously faced scrutiny on if they abided by the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Speaking on the question marks surrounding the club three years ago, Wenger said: “I think sport is to win by respecting the rules, that’s what it is about.
“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.”
Related links:
- Everton respond after historic 10-point deduction
- Everton handed historic Premier League points deduction
- Fans agree Premier League refereeing is currently ‘the worst it’s ever been’
