- Premier League
Wenger worried by Uefa's fair play plans
October 28, 2011
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fears UEFA could be ''scared'' to force clubs to comply with the new financial fair play regulations.
UEFA are due to implement the system for the 2013-14 season, which will give them the right to ban teams from Champions League or Europa League participation if they continue to spend more than they earn.
UEFA president Michel Platini maintains they will ''see what we can do'' to curb excessive spending among Europe's top clubs, with the likes of Manchester City and Paris St Germain rising to the top of their respective domestic leagues on the back of the vast wealth of their Middle Eastern owners.
With the Court of Arbitration for Sport set to hear later this month the dispute between UEFA and Swiss club FC Sion, who responded to their exclusion from the Europa League by mounting a civil action, Wenger believes such litigation could eventually soften the stance of the European governing body towards how they implement the new financial restrictions.
Wenger said: ''I am less optimistic about that than I was a year ago about it coming in. When it comes in, it depends on with what kind of rules.
''I am not sure completely that UEFA has completely worked out all the rules that will make it work. UEFA has been challenged by the Sion case when they excluded them and it looks like they are scared they could be challenged by the big clubs if they bring it in by force.
''I am not sure they will be capable of imposing it. I am hoping they are because I am a big fan of it, but I am less convinced than a year ago.''
