Just a few Wenger quotes on UEFA from his years at Arsenal. Wenger rarely shied away from controversy and had no problem speaking up against UEFA and the powers that be in world football.
This quotes hardly make him a hero or anything. They are simply presented as is. These are also not even remotely a comprehensive list of Wenger’s jibes at UEFA and Platini. If you have some favorites, please post them below.
Arsene Wenger on “Financial Fair Play” in 2015 – “It has gone. I have seen the signs coming from UEFA for a while now. I thought for a while FFP would happen but now it is not possible. The clubs [City and PSG] threatened to go to civil court — not only through [CAS]. That brought a lot of insecurity in the decision making of UEFA so they started to soften the rules a little bit. The last decision in July was about Paris St-Germain and then Manchester City and that opened completely the door.”
Wenger said something similar in 2014 after Platini said that no teams would be banned from playing in the Champions League for violating FFP – “That has gone out now. I have thought about that problem and the media might play a part in that. Because when Uefa sells the rights of the Champions League to a French TV station, it is very difficult to explain to them once they have paid the money that the best club in their country will not play in the competition. So that might be one of the reasons behind that.”
Also in 2015, Wenger’s Arsenal were beaten by Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. One of their players, Arijan Ademi, tested positive for doping*. Wenger spoke out about the problem of doping in football and UEFA immediately sent 10 officials to check Arsenal for doping. – “I don’t remember we have been visited (by doping control) before. We have nothing against it. I called for more blood checks. That’s a major issue. I said before that I want better controls. And we got better controls straight away.” he said with his trademarked grin.
When UEFA charged Eduardo with diving in 2009, Wenger defended the player – “Usually a situation that has been assessed and judged by the referee can’t be touched again. They’ve opened the door to every single decision made by a referee can (from) now on be challenged. They’ve opened a very dangerous door there. This case has been ruled by the media and emotionally by Scotland, by the Scottish FA and by Scottish people working at UEFA who think this case is a bit more sensitive because they have more influence there. We will defend our player as far as we can.”
When Bussaca showed van Persie a red card for shooting after the whistle in 2009 -“I think two kinds of people can be unhappy: those who love Arsenal and those who love football can be frustrated with the referee’s decision because it’s difficult to understand his attitude. How can you kill a football game like that? It was a very promising game, very interesting, that’s the regret. We lost against a very good Barcelona side, congratulations to them and good luck for the future, but we have many regrets because we didn’t expect to lose the game like that. I feel sorry for people watching tonight. It’s not a surprise the referee didn’t book a single Barcelona player. I just spoke to [the] Uefa people. They are shocked as well. He killed a promising, fantastic football match. What for? If it’s a bad tackle it’s a second bookable offence but the way he did it it’s embarrassing, if you love the game. If you have played football at a certain level you cannot understand that decision. It’s impossible.”
*both samples and was subsequently banned for 4 years, though he apparently played for the club after just one year
If your aim is to make me feel acutely painful nostalgia, you’ve succeeded
Hello from a new India. A country that re-elected a fascist ideologue who doesn’t even deliver ‘the trains on time’ as Prime Minister, and a person on trial for terrorism as a Parliamentary lawmaker.
Not too bothered about Uefa at the moment.
Feel you there. We have a fairly recent day that will live in infamy here in the States. Hurts every day. Dark times around the world. Good vibes going forward. To us all.
The rise of fascism seems global to me. There is this seething rage borne out of frustration and repression i see in most people these days.
Modi isn’t just the cause, he in the beginning is just a symptom of the larger malaise in the country.
I don’t think the elections were rigged though; although that can’t be ruled out. I am thinking of a one way ticket to somewhere. Or i will just go to Bhutan if nothing else.
Modi is not the beginning nor the end of this (see Pragya Thakur. In 20 years we’ll be saying Modi was ok) But what Modi has done right from his days as CM, is shown how massive spending on media and maintaining total authority over his party/govt pays off. The complete destruction of institutions, the damaged economy, and the subservient/bullied media all are going to push India further towards a violent, and further emboldened ‘religious’ right wing. Unless of course we stop it. This won’t be pretty, though the media will say it is.
PS. I am also certain there was some manipulation of votes. There was definitely manipulation of the voting process to favour the ruling party. But none of that matters anymore. It’s about what comes next.
Sympathies from a corrupt South Africa.
May the days of honesty shine through once again
But I hear he has a 53″ chest???
Commiserations from the last Western Outpost of fascism.
Insecure man will be unhappy you shaved off 3″ from his muscular chest. 3″ is probably a lot for him.
Hey, thanks fellas. I’m surprisingly ok with this, maybe because I expected it. I’ve resolved not to give in to fear though, and I suppose that is a tiny little victory.
Sigh! I expected it too, especially after the unnecessary stand off with Pakistan which was used to create a fear and hence the need for a strongman at the helm.
However, what I didn’t expect is the people I grew up with, educated, travelled and settled to be supporting such a divisive politician!
Really? Nearly everyone I know supported Vajpayee earlier and Modi now. The only complaints they have from him is that the economy hasn’t been as good as they’d hoped (it’s much worse than that of course) and they are blase about his corruption because everyone is corrupt.
I expected all the urban middle class folks to vote for him because his anti-Muslim stance doesn’t bother him even if it doesn’t appeal. My hopes were on the rural worker, the farmer and the urban poor. But apparently with the ease of access to information, the ability to be propagandised has also increased.
doesn’t bother them*
A scent of irony wafting from these past two-plus years– in regard to our having had installed a grifting con-man as president.? 😉
While I write this– a hundred yards from a beach in a Playa Del Carmen. Searching for my next place of residence– probably in a couple of years or so.
Ex-pat is sounding better every passing day.
An acquaintance half a world away– my sympathies. I’ve learned to come to grips with the majority of my expectations for this country having been irreversibly eroded.
Hopes for people to display common sense in the face of even more common ignorance– seems a bridge too far– here. Deciding instead to find a place less-serious.
Selah.
Modi’s been in power for 5 years. But he came in on a wave on anti-govt sentiment based on their corruption, promising to fix the economy and cure all ills. This time he didn’t even talk about the economy. All he did was spread fear and hate. And people still voted for him. There is now no hiding the fact that the people voted for him because of his hatred not despite it. (I maintain there was rigging of votes but it still is no excuse)
We even voted in someone accused (and now out on bail since this govt is in power) of participating in a plot to place a bomb outside a mosque which killed 6 people including a 5 year old girl. This person will now make laws in Parliament. That’s how messed up this is.
Wenger was a beacon of integrity and intelligence. and humour.
Although Machievelli would probably look good compared to the European or World football’s governing powers.
Breaking Qatari world international athletic championship scandal shows difficulty of keeping sport clean with all the money sloshing about.
Will City get punished for FFP? Will Modi be less sectarian in his second term? Will Brexit be happily resolved? Will pigs fly?
Timing of this article is curiously prescient, as The Guardian have just today published a Wenger interview by Amy Lawrence. I haven’t read it yet – saving it for a flight tomorrow. Of course, given the content of the article I imagine it’s inspired by our “caving” to UEFA/Azerbaijan on the Mkhitaryan issue.
“…given the content of THIS article…”, I meant to say.
(Spoiler alert: its an advert and he’s an investor)
Unfortunately not actually an interview of Wenger by Amy, but she does have form in this area as she got in and did the first (and only?) one by a UK journalist way back in his initial season over here . She also interviewed Patrick Vieira (when he was trying to lose his bad boy image) around this time.
I’m not often right and I’m wrong again. This latest Wenger interview WAS with Amy. Good for her…the Guardian Gooner