Manchester City say they see no point dodging the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulation, amid suggestions they are using the Frank Lampard loan deal to bypass Uefa’s sanctions.
Lampard signed on a free transfer for New York City FC- the emerging Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise co-owned by Premier League club Man City- last month.
And with the MLS club awaiting the start of the 2015 season for their maiden campaign, the 36-year-old midfielder will spend the next six months at City on loan.
City, who failed to meet Uefa’s FFP rules last season and were fined and handed restrictions on their wage bill/squad size, say they are on course to comply with the regulations and move forward.
It is understood they will pay all of the England international’s wages pending the period he will spend with them and New York City will take responsibility thereafter.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger questioned if they are using the move to bypass the FFP rules.
“Is it a way to get around the fair play? I don’t know,” said Wenger.
“It looks like all these ‘City’ clubs will feed the main club Manchester City- I heard they want to buy five clubs all over the world.”
New York City is the third of City’s affiliates at present the world over, others being Melbourne City and Yokohama F Marinos.
“I don’t know the rules well enough, but they bought a franchise for £59.4m to play in the States next season.
“At the moment the players they sign cannot play until next year so they will register them in the other clubs and ca get out on loan,” added Wenger.
Lampard left Chelsea this summer following the end of his contract. He will become one of the minimum five homegrown players City are allowed to register in their 21-man Champions League squad to adhere by the FFP rule.
