Though on a not entirely unrelated note, Arsenal isn't looking too bright in the EPL either these days:
http://www.setanta.com/portal/artic...en&articleid=70c86825c7c5c92980257180006f031a
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-arsenal&prov=reuters&type=lgns
http://www.setanta.com/portal/artic...en&articleid=70c86825c7c5c92980257180006f031a
Arsenal under investigation
Thursday, 1 June 17:32 ET
Arsenal could be kicked out of the Champions League or face other severe penalties after Fifa revealed it is investigating claims the Premiership club broken regulations.
According to a British news programme, a Belgian police investigation has concluded that the Gunners allegedly made secret payments of Stg1million to Beveren football club.
Newsnight, which is screened by the BBC, say it understands that Belgian police have traced a mystery payment made to the Belgian minnows to the London club - Arsenal have denied making the payment.
According to the BBC website, Christian du Four, the Investigating Magistrate in the Flemish town of Dendermonde, told the Newsnight programme: "A company with no name wanted to invest a million pounds in the club. We thought it rather bizarre."
"Jean Marc Guillou who is the manager of Beveren has very close contacts with Arsene Wenger the coach of Arsenal and that is why they went ahead with the contract (to play friendly matches and loan out players)."
Beveren, who bring many African players into Europe, were apparently in financial difficulties when the payment was made in 2001 and after an investigation magistrates in Belgium told Newsnight that they found Arsenal were behind the money.
However, the club issued a statement late on Thursday evening which read:
"Arsenal Football Club is aware that BBC Newsnight is carrying a story this evening purporting to describe Arsenal's relationship with Belgian football club, Beveren.
"Arsenal does not normally make public its agreements with third parties. However, Arsenal can confirm that it has had a technical relationship with Beveren since 2001. This relationship has a number of benefits to both clubs such as providing a platform to share coaching methods and techniques as well as facilitating the option of players being loaned between the clubs.
"For example, during the course of the relationship, Arsenal players David Grondin, Liam Chilvers, John Halls and Graham Stack all spent successful loan periods at Beveren as did Emmanuel Eboue, who played in a number of trial matches with Arsenal whilst contracted to Beveren. Such was the latter player's success, Arsenal subsequently signed Eboue on a permanent basis."
The statement continued: "In addition, Arsenal confirms that it has never owned, directly or indirectly, any shares in Beveren or had any power whatsoever to influence its management or administration.
"It did in 2001 provide funds of 1,570,703 Euros by way of loan to a member of the consortium to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren.
"At no time has anyone at Arsenal been contacted by any regulatory or investigatory body with respect to its relationship with Beveren.
"Arsenal and all its staff have acted properly throughout, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, and in the best interests of Beveren, Arsenal and the broader footballing community."
Thursday, 1 June 17:32 ET
Arsenal could be kicked out of the Champions League or face other severe penalties after Fifa revealed it is investigating claims the Premiership club broken regulations.
According to a British news programme, a Belgian police investigation has concluded that the Gunners allegedly made secret payments of Stg1million to Beveren football club.
Newsnight, which is screened by the BBC, say it understands that Belgian police have traced a mystery payment made to the Belgian minnows to the London club - Arsenal have denied making the payment.
According to the BBC website, Christian du Four, the Investigating Magistrate in the Flemish town of Dendermonde, told the Newsnight programme: "A company with no name wanted to invest a million pounds in the club. We thought it rather bizarre."
"Jean Marc Guillou who is the manager of Beveren has very close contacts with Arsene Wenger the coach of Arsenal and that is why they went ahead with the contract (to play friendly matches and loan out players)."
Beveren, who bring many African players into Europe, were apparently in financial difficulties when the payment was made in 2001 and after an investigation magistrates in Belgium told Newsnight that they found Arsenal were behind the money.
However, the club issued a statement late on Thursday evening which read:
"Arsenal Football Club is aware that BBC Newsnight is carrying a story this evening purporting to describe Arsenal's relationship with Belgian football club, Beveren.
"Arsenal does not normally make public its agreements with third parties. However, Arsenal can confirm that it has had a technical relationship with Beveren since 2001. This relationship has a number of benefits to both clubs such as providing a platform to share coaching methods and techniques as well as facilitating the option of players being loaned between the clubs.
"For example, during the course of the relationship, Arsenal players David Grondin, Liam Chilvers, John Halls and Graham Stack all spent successful loan periods at Beveren as did Emmanuel Eboue, who played in a number of trial matches with Arsenal whilst contracted to Beveren. Such was the latter player's success, Arsenal subsequently signed Eboue on a permanent basis."
The statement continued: "In addition, Arsenal confirms that it has never owned, directly or indirectly, any shares in Beveren or had any power whatsoever to influence its management or administration.
"It did in 2001 provide funds of 1,570,703 Euros by way of loan to a member of the consortium to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren.
"At no time has anyone at Arsenal been contacted by any regulatory or investigatory body with respect to its relationship with Beveren.
"Arsenal and all its staff have acted properly throughout, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, and in the best interests of Beveren, Arsenal and the broader footballing community."
Arsenal deny wrongdoing after Belgian club probe
LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) - Arsenal have denied wrongdoing after being accused on Thursday of making secret payments to Belgian club Beveren.
BBC Two's Newsnight programme reported that a police probe in Belgium had concluded that the Premier League club, losing Champions League finalists this year, had paid Beveren 1 million pounds ($1.87 million).
It said world body FIFA were investigating whether Arsenal had breached rules concerning fair play and conflict of interest.
The North London club, in a statement to Newsnight, confirmed a technical relationship with Beveren since 2001 but denied controlling the club.
"Arsenal confirms that it has never owned, directly or indirectly, any shares in Beveren or had any power whatsoever to influence its management or administration," it said.
"It did in 2001 provide funds of 1,570,703 euros by way of a loan to a member of the consortium to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren.
"At no time has anyone at Arsenal been contacted by any regulatory or investigatory body with respect to its relationship with Beveren," added the statement.
"Arsenal and all its staff have acted properly throughout, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, and in the best interests of Beveren, Arsenal and the broader footballing community."
Newsnight said the Belgian investigation was launched initially because the police suspected the Russian Mafia might be using Beveren to launder money. That was later ruled out.
The BBC programme said Beveren was used to bring Ivory Coast players, including Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue, into Europe.
LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) - Arsenal have denied wrongdoing after being accused on Thursday of making secret payments to Belgian club Beveren.
BBC Two's Newsnight programme reported that a police probe in Belgium had concluded that the Premier League club, losing Champions League finalists this year, had paid Beveren 1 million pounds ($1.87 million).
It said world body FIFA were investigating whether Arsenal had breached rules concerning fair play and conflict of interest.
The North London club, in a statement to Newsnight, confirmed a technical relationship with Beveren since 2001 but denied controlling the club.
"Arsenal confirms that it has never owned, directly or indirectly, any shares in Beveren or had any power whatsoever to influence its management or administration," it said.
"It did in 2001 provide funds of 1,570,703 euros by way of a loan to a member of the consortium to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren.
"At no time has anyone at Arsenal been contacted by any regulatory or investigatory body with respect to its relationship with Beveren," added the statement.
"Arsenal and all its staff have acted properly throughout, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, and in the best interests of Beveren, Arsenal and the broader footballing community."
Newsnight said the Belgian investigation was launched initially because the police suspected the Russian Mafia might be using Beveren to launder money. That was later ruled out.
The BBC programme said Beveren was used to bring Ivory Coast players, including Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue, into Europe.
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