Arsenal legend Ian Wright has hit back at Gary Neville’s suggestion that Manchester City could escape punishment in their ongoing Premier League financial charges case
Arsenal icon Ian Wright could not hide his disbelief at Gary Neville’s suggestion that Manchester City might escape punishment in their 115 charges dispute with the Premier League.
The former Manchester United defender believes there’s a chance Pep Guardiola’s team could avoid sanctions despite facing 115 charges.
Neville acknowledged it was ‘ridiculous’ that proceedings remain unresolved, given City were charged back in February 2023. An independent panel examined the case in December 2024, yet no verdict from the hearing has been made public.
City face allegations of breaching financial regulations across a nine-year span, from 2009 to 2018, alongside additional charges concerning failure to co-operate with the Premier League’s inquiry. The club has vigorously denied any misconduct.
Speaking on The Overlap, Wright criticised the absence of any conclusion from the hearing. He said: “You’ve got to remember we’re (Arsenal are) chasing down a City side and we’re still talking about charges with them. ‘How have they got to this? How have they got to that?’
“There’s still no outcome. We still don’t know an outcome and that’s the team we’re chasing down.”
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Despite City surrendering points against Everton and Arsenal reclaiming their position atop the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side remain contenders to secure the championship.
Wright believed the charges have influenced the Premier League title race and transfer activity in recent campaigns. He suggests Arsenal are unable to build their squad in the manner City have done previously, even though the charges don’t pertain to recent seasons.
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Neville referenced earlier charges levelled at Everton and Nottingham Forest, and said: “It’ll come out in the wash at some point and it’s a disgrace that it’s taken so long. It’s absolutely shocking.
“Other clubs have been punished, but they could get off every single charge. I know you’ve gone quiet there but they could.”
“Really?” Wright replied. “Every single charge and we’re going to say ‘I can’t believe that happened but let’s get on with it’?”
“It’s not like five or six. It’s 115! I feel like everybody is like Donald Trump here, nobody is listening. You’re saying stuff and it’s foolishness!”
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“I’m with you, Wrighty,” Neville replied. “To have 115 serious allegations put against you and it not be brought forward is ridiculous. It’s a shocker.”
“My point is – there is an old and important principle in this country of being innocent until proven guilty. My view would be that we haven’t found a level of guilt, or any guilt yet. I think those charges relate to pre-2020 but what you’re saying is that the foundations of the current team were built in that period.”
Wright said: “Absolutely. Players are signing because of the success they’ve had before, they want to have that success themselves.”
“If they can prove everything is fine then brilliant, but I’m not going to sit here and watch my club struggle to beat this time that’s up there like Goliath with everything that’s going on.”
