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Arsene Wenger slams television era

14 January 2012 - 07:13

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has hit out at television companies and the Premier League, insisting that the current television schedule may not benefit all clubs. Wenger claims that football has "sold its soul" to television companies.

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Arsenal face a very mixed schedule over the coming month, with three of their games being switched to a Sunday for television exposure. Games include the Premier League crunch tie against Manchester United at the Emirates, the 4th Round of the FA Cup against Aston Villa and this weekend's Sunday match against Swansea in the league.<br />

"I don't believe the Premier League has played, in the last month or the last year, a very fair role in the distribution of the fixtures," said Wenger.<br />

"We have sold our soul and we do not control our fixtures any more.&nbsp;It is the truth and I cannot say the television is wrong, but it is not normal that you can have a direct influence on the schedule through the television.<br />

"Is it Sky or is it ESPN? They have an influence there from the clubs directly and the Premier League should be a much bigger barrier than they are in front of that."

Written by Samuel Turnbull