Wenger-Inter row erupts Friday 25 April, 2008
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Arsene Wenger is furious with Inter over their “disrespectful and illegal” approach for Alexander Hleb, but the club insists it did nothing wrong.
For some time the Nerazzurri have been linked with the midfielder and this week Coach Roberto Mancini was quoted as saying Hleb was on their wish-list.
“Statements from inside the club saying they are interested in our players, without calling us that is not acceptable,” slammed Wenger in Friday’s Press conference.
“You would never hear me saying that. If I am interested in a player I go to the chairman.
“The newspapers may have the speculation, but for a club to come out with a statement like that and not even call... I think it is disrespectful. It is illegal. But we have not gone as far as reporting it.”
It is another very public condemnation of Inter, but only a few weeks ago they released an official statement denying any contact with Hleb.
They were quick to respond again with a press release late this evening.
“I have never made any comments regarding Hleb or players registered with any other clubs, towards whom I have the utmost respect,” insisted Mancini.
“What was reported by the media over the past few days was constructed in the form of questions put to me by journalists about the transfer market.
“These are questions I always replied to by stating our focus is solely on the championship.”
Inter also brought out a copy of the press release published on March 19 denying a meeting with Hleb and reports they had received a “letter of protest from Arsenal.”
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