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Ligue 2

Barthez returns to Toulouse as goalkeeper consultant

Barthez will work with Toulouse goalkeeper coach Patrice Garande and academy chief Denis Zanko for the Ligue 2 club, with whom he made his professional debut in 1991.

After leaving Toulouse the following year, Barthez went on to win the Champions League with Marseille, and two Premier League titles with Manchester United after claiming the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with Les Bleus.

"My pure passion has pushed me to invest myself in a consultancy role. I wish to convey and share my vision of this position in its entirety, in collaboration with the technical staff, for the goalkeepers of the first team and the academy," Barthez said in a statement.

"I would like to thank president [Damien] Comolli, the management team as well as Patrice Garande, Rudy Riou and Denis Zanko for their trust and their welcome."

Toulouse were relegated to Ligue 2 after the top-flight season was curtailed last April.

The club sit ninth after winning four of their opening 10 games, three points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Bordeaux demoted to third tier due to financial woes

The club finished bottom of Ligue 1 this season and were preparing for a campaign in Ligue 2 for the first time since the early 1990s.

But on Tuesday they were sanctioned by the National Directorate of Control and Management (DNCG), which ordered a further demotion to the National 1 division following an examination of Bordeaux's finances.

Bordeaux, Ligue 1 champions in 2009, confirmed they are appealing the ruling, which will reportedly provide them with an extra two weeks to get their finances in order, and they could yet raise additional funds.

Aurelien Tchouameni's €100million move from Monaco to Real Madrid is apparently set to bring in roughly €11m, while Bordeaux stand to gain a substantial figure if Sevilla sell Jules Kounde, who has been heavily linked with Chelsea.

Bordeaux are said to have debts close to €40m, but a statement on their website suggested confidence in getting the decision overturned.

"Heard on June 14 by the DNCG, the club presented the guarantee of the re-engagement of the majority shareholder in the amount of €10m, an agreement with the holders of the club's debt as well as offers to sell a few players, whose cumulative amount exceeds the objectives set by the [Professional Clubs Control] Commission," their statement read.

If Bordeaux are successful in overturning the demotion to National 1, they will play the 2022-23 campaign in Ligue 2.

Coronavirus: Amiens against Ligue 1 relegation, could launch appeal

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Thursday the final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis after French prime minister Edouard Philippe said the 2019-20 campaign could not restart due to all sporting events being banned until September amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Amiens were consequently demoted to the second tier along with Toulouse, while Paris Saint-Germain were crowned as champions.

Lorient were awarded the Ligue 2 title and, along with Lens, promotion to the top flight for the 2020-21 season, which it is hoped can get under way behind closed doors on August 22/23.

Amiens president Bernard Joannin called the decision an "injustice" and accused the LFP of "a lack of humanity".

However, Joannin said no action would be taken until minutes from the LFP's board of directors meeting is released and a general assembly is held to decide the format for Ligue 2 and the number of relegations and promotions between it and the third tier.

A statement published by Amiens on Friday said: "This decision is for our club, all our players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and supporters extremely fraught with consequences.

"Pending the publication of the minutes of board of directors' meeting, Amiens reserve the right to contest this decision, since sporting merit, in this particularly difficult period for all, should on the contrary have led the various decision-making bodies not to pronounce any relegation."

Toulouse president Olivier Sadran reportedly wrote to the LFP prior to Thursday's announcement to state his club may also initiate a legal challenge if they were relegated.

Coupe de France finalists Lyon, who sat seventh in the final standings, stated they could launch an appeal because they stand to miss out on continental football next term.

The only other European league to have brought its season to an early end is the Eredivisie, which opted against relegating any teams or crowning a champion.

Coronavirus: Amiens president plans legal action against Ligue 1 relegation

Last month, the Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) confirmed the final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis after French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe banned all sporting events in France until September due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning a restart of the league was not possible.

The decision meant Amiens were relegated alongside Toulouse, with Lorient and Lens promoted from the second tier.

Joannin initially reacted to that announcement by saying Amiens reserved the right to appeal against the decision, labelling the ruling an "injustice" given then they still had 10 games left to play.

The club also urged fans to sign a petition in their bid to "seek justice".

Joannin, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, has now confirmed he plans to take his challenge to the courts and is confident of being successful.

"We are fighting. This fight, we are fighting it against injustice," he said.

"We find this decision contrary to fairness in sport. It is a sanction decision by the League. I repeat, this decision is unfair. A championship is 38 games. 

"We are forced to go to court. The legal arguments are on our side. I am convinced that justice will prove us right. 

"We are determined to uphold sporting fairness, even if it has to go through the courts. It’s time that humanism and justice prevail over other interests."

Coronavirus: Amiens' Ligue 1 relegation 'like a blow from a sword'

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Thursday its decision to finish the 2019-20 season and determine the standings on a points-per-game basis, with the coronavirus pandemic having forced French prime minister Edouard Philippe to ban sporting events until September.

Paris Saint-Germain were awarded the Ligue 1 title, but Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to the second tier and will be replaced by Lorient and Lens for the 2020-21 campaign.

The Eredivisie became the first league to call an end to its season this week, though it crowned no champions and promotion and relegation between the top two tiers was cancelled.

Amiens, Toulouse and Lyon – who finished seventh and will miss out on European football next season for the first time since 1996-97 unless they win the Coupe de France or Champions League – have all stated they could launch legal challenges against the decision.

Elsner was left thoroughly disappointed and assured Amiens will take "all possible recourse" to retain their Ligue 1 status.

"I have never experienced a jolt like this since I've been in football," Elsner told Courrier Picard.

"Generally, you are in control of your own destiny and your performances in football, but I did not expect such a quick decision.

"It's like a blow from a sword, it's cut clean. I'm flabbergasted."

He added: "In sport, the basic principle is that the chances are equal at the start and they are equal at the finish.

"Let the decisions be made on the pitch, but when they aren't we cannot talk about sporting equity.

"[Amiens intend] to fight against this decision with all possible recourse."

Coronavirus: Ligue 1 & Ligue 2 games behind closed doors until April 15

The country's minister for sport, Roxana Maracineanu, met with French sport stakeholders on Tuesday to discuss measures that could be implemented to "participate in the national effort".

It had been announced on Monday that top-flight fixtures would be played behind closed doors or limited to 1,000 spectators.

However, 24 hours later the Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) confirmed no spectators will be permitted to attend fixtures in either of the top two tiers.

It said in a statement: "This decision comes in strict application of the ministerial decree published on March 10, 2020.

"The modalities of these on camera matches will be defined tomorrow [Wednesday] at the LFP Board of Directors' office."

As of Monday, France had 1,412 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

 

 

Coronavirus: Ligue 1 and 2 suspended until further notice

It was agreed earlier this week that all games would be played behind closed doors until April 15 but that has now been upgraded to postponements – and follows French government advice.

An LFP statement read: "Following the announcements from the president of the republic in order to respond to the health crisis linked to COVID-19, the LFP board of directors unanimously decided on Friday, March 13 to immediately suspend Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 until further notice.

"As the president pointed out on Thursday, collective interest must be placed above everything. The urgency today is to curb the epidemic, protect the most vulnerable and avoid displacement."

No date for a resumption was announced, but the LFP suggested it will know more following the meeting of the 55 UEFA member associations on Tuesday.

The statement added: "Following the meeting scheduled by UEFA on March 17, the LFP board of directors will meet."

It has been suggested Euro 2020 will be delayed by 12 months to accommodate a later finish to domestic leagues across the continent.

Paris-Saint Germain played their Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund behind closed doors at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night – winning 2-0 to edge the tie 3-2 and advance to the quarter-finals.

PSG sit top of Ligue 1 with a 12-point lead over Marseille and have a game in hand.

Coronavirus: Ligue 2 to have 22 teams in 2020-21

There will be two additional teams in France's second tier in 2020-21, with Le Mans and Orleans remaining in Ligue 2 and Pau and Dunkerque moving up from the third division.

Last month, the LFP declared Paris Saint-Germain champions of Ligue 1 after ending the 2019-20 campaign prematurely due to COVID-19.

The final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis after French prime minister Edouard Philippe said the season could not restart due to all sporting events being banned until September amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to Ligue 2 through just 28 matches, while Lorient and Lens were promoted.

Coronavirus: PSG declared Ligue 1 champions after season is ended early

French prime minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday said the 2019-20 football season could not restart as he banned any sporting events taking place before September, leaving the LFP to decide the "sporting and economic consequences" for the top two tiers.

Following Thursday's meeting, the LFP opted for the final league standings to be determined by points won per match, leaving PSG – who were 12 clear at the top before the campaign was halted – as champions.

"We have decided to work hard to find solutions. We still have difficulties ahead of us. We are in an environment where there is a lot of sporting tension," Nathalie Boy de la Tour, LFP president, said at a news conference.

"We had worked on recovery scenarios for mid-June. We worked on the economy and treasury for the clubs: sponsorship and ticketing. We had worked behind the scenes. I don't like to talk to say nothing – I'm coming to you with concrete things.

"We have marked the end of the 2019-2020 season, and we have awarded the title of champions to PSG in Ligue 1 and Lorient in Ligue 2."

LFP executive director general Didier Quillot confirmed the final standings were allocated on a points-per-game ratio, before adding only the bottom two teams will be relegated to Ligue 2, with no play-off taking place to determine if a third team from the second tier also goes up.

It means Toulouse and Amiens will be relegated and Lens will be promoted along with Lorient.

"The rankings were allocated according to a performance index and a criterion of the points-per-matches-played ratio at the end of the 28th matchday. It is the same rule adopted by the FFF [French Football Federation]," he said.

"There will be two promotions and two relegations between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. There will be no play-offs."

The LFP published the final classification shortly after the announcement, confirming Marseille and Rennes will join PSG in the Champions League places, while Reims and Nice are expected to follow Lille into the Europa League if the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France cannot go ahead.

The victors of both competitions will take up Europa League spots as normal if, as Quillot desires, they are allowed to play the two finals in August.

"If the government allows us to play behind closed doors from August, we will think about the possibility of playing the finals of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue in early August," he said. "We will need the green light from UEFA.

"If the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France take place in early August, the places for the Europa League will be allocated to their winners, if the winner is not PSG. The rule does not change."

PSG will face Lyon and Saint-Etienne in the respective Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France finales.

Coronavirus: Voiding Ligue 1 season not considered as LFP prioritise finishing 2019-20

With all of the major European leagues on hiatus at least until April amid the COVID-19 pandemic, UEFA hosted an extraordinary video conference on Tuesday, outlining a plan for the rest of the 2019-20 season.

With Euro 2020 postponed for 12 months, clubs agreed to a "commitment to complete all domestic and European club competitions by the end of the current sporting season, i.e. June 30, 2020 at the latest".

Such a scenario is dependent on the global coronavirus situation improving – though France's Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is suggesting its priority is finishing the season whenever possible, even if that means completing it after June 30.

Executive director Didier Quillot said on Wednesday: "We've made it a major principle to do everything we can to finish on 30 June.

"The goal is June 30, but if we have to finish later, we'll adapt, with the clubs and the players. We'll play as much as we can."

LFP president Nathalie Boy de la Tour added: "We are delighted at the sacred union of European football.

"The Administrative Council meeting on Tuesday recalled that the top priority was to complete the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 campaigns, in view of the sporting and economic stakes involved. This is vital for the future of the clubs and French football."

France-wide containment measures mean a return of football in the country is impossible before April 15, and although LFP is keen for action to re-commence once that period is over, Boy de la Tour accepts a willingness to adapt is necessary.

She said: "If the containment period lasts 15 days, and we add two weeks of training before that, we could resume around 15 April. We can anticipate everything, but above all we have to adapt and remain pragmatic."

Diego Maradona dies: LaLiga and Ligue 1 to hold pre-match tributes

Argentina great Maradona died on Wednesday in his homeland, having reportedly suffered a heart attack.

All games in Spain's LaLiga and the Segunda Division in the coming matchday will be preceded by a minute's silence, competition organisers said in a statement.

LaLiga said the pre-match tributes will convey condolences "to his family, friends and all the fans around the world who remember him".

Maradona spent two seasons with Barcelona, who face Osasuna at home on Saturday, before returning to LaLiga with Sevilla in 1992.

At Barca's Camp Nou stadium, flags were flown at half-mast on Thursday, the day on which the 1986 World Cup-winning star was being laid to rest in Argentina.

In France, the pre-game protocols for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will undergo "exceptional" changes for this weekend as a mark of respect for Maradona.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said: "At this moment of great sadness for football, the LFP, the clubs and the UNFP (the French footballers' union) wanted to place this 12th matchday under the star of Diego Maradona."

Giving Inter and Liverpool hope: When title races get dramatic

Months of games, so many ups and downs, goals scored and conceded, and yet it can all still come down to the finest margins in the closing minutes of the last day.

To paraphrase Homer Simpson, the winner is showered with praise; the loser is taunted and booed until my throat is sore.

With one matchday left, the title races in both Serie A and the Premier League are going to the final 90 minutes. Milan and Manchester City have their destinies in their own hands, but Inter and Liverpool are looking to respectively pounce on any stumble.

There is the potential for exceptional drama in Italy and England, but can the Nerazzurri and the Reds have much hope of pulling off the improbable and wrestling the respective title from their rivals?

Stats Perform has taken a look at some of the more dramatic title races from recent history that show anything is possible.

Every goal matters

The Eredivisie provided about as tense a finish as you could imagine in 2006-07, with PSV Eindhoven and Ajax unsurprisingly the main characters.

A strong title defence from Ronald Koeman's PSV began with 18 wins from 21 games, and just one defeat.

However, losing four and drawing four of their next 12 games coupled with Ajax winning five of six leading into the final day meant they were neck and neck on points heading into the last game.

Despite being behind on goal difference, a tremendous effort from PSV saw them pip their rivals after an emphatic 5-1 win over Vitesse, while Ajax could only muster a 2-0 victory over Willem II, losing the title by a single goal.

When goals made no difference in LaLiga

In the same season, Real Madrid made a disappointing start in LaLiga, drawing their first game 0-0 with Villarreal at home before going on to lose seven of their first 21 league matches.

After drawing four games in a row between mid-February and mid-March, title hopes seemed to be over for Fabio Capello's men, only for nine wins in 11 games to send them into the final day level on points with Barcelona.

Barca thrashed Gimnastic 5-1 away from home to do their bit, but Madrid eased to a 3-1 win against Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Blaugrana had a significantly better goal difference of +45 compared to Madrid's +26, but that mattered not as the tie-breaker came down to head-to-head record, which was in Los Blancos' favour having beaten Barca 2-0 at home and drawn 3-3 at Camp Nou.

"Agueroooooo!"

Following Sheikh Mansour's takeover of Manchester City in 2008, the club had grown year-on-year and by the 2011-12 season, felt they were ready to mount a challenge at the top of the Premier League.

Roberto Mancini's side started well enough, winning 11 of their first 12 games, but three defeats across December and January dented hopes, while two losses and two draws in a five-game period in March and April all but killed them.

That was until five wins in a row coincided with Manchester United losing to Wigan Athletic and dramatically drawing 4-4 with Everton at Old Trafford.

City beating United on matchday 36 swung things in the Sky Blues' favour, and they went into the last day needing only a win against lowly QPR to seal it.

In typical fashion, they made it hard work for themselves, finding themselves 2-1 down heading towards the 90th minute. United had won 1-0 at Sunderland, which meant City needed two goals or they would have lost the title in agonising fashion.

An Edin Dzeko header made it 2-2, before Mario Balotelli slid in Sergio Aguero for one of the most famous goals in English football history, giving City their first top-flight title since 1969.

The ultimate last day head-to-head

It was like something out of a Hollywood film. All the previous nine LaLiga titles had been won by Clasico giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, but in 2013-14, Atletico Madrid believed they could spoil the party.

Barca were the pacesetters, winning 13 of their first 14 games, while Real Madrid were struggling after losing to both Atletico and Barca.

Diego Simeone led his team to an incredible 16 wins from their first 18 games, but a 0-0 draw with Barca made it look like it would be the tightest of run-ins.

Indeed it was, with Real coming back to the party after an 18-match unbeaten run, though back-to-back defeats to Barca and Sevilla stopped them in their tracks.

Gerardo Martino's Barca were wobbling too, losing three out of seven games between February and March, and then drawing with Getafe and Elche to give Atletico their chance on the final day.

As if it could not have been more dramatic, Atletico went into the last game three points clear, but needing a point to clinch the title, away at Barcelona.

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring for the Blaugrana, but Diego Godin's header handed the crown to Atletico.

When six were not on the beach

You may not be as familiar with this final day, but it stands as one of the most remarkable in the history of the game.

Never mind two or three, there were six clubs that could still claim the Ligue 2 title going into the final round of matches in 2016-17.

Strasbourg, Amiens, Troyes, Lens, Brest and Nimes all in with a shout with one game remaining, all separated by three points at most.

Technically, the drama was not really with the winner of the title, but the other automatic promotion spot that was up for grabs, with Strasbourg able to hold on to top spot following a nervy 2-1 win against Bourg-Peronnas, but it was a 96th-minute strike from Emmanuel Bourgaud sealing a 2-1 win at Stade Reims for Amiens that provided unbelievable drama, taking the aptly named Unicorns from sixth to second.

I did not think I would be advising Inter and Liverpool to go into their games with an "Amiens mindset", but there we are.

Ligue 1 season ended due to coronavirus pandemic

French prime minister Edouard Philippe announced in a speech to the National Assembly that professional football will not be able to resume before September.

That means the 2019-20 campaign is over, with the next domestic fixtures coming at the start of the 2020-21 season.

"Big sporting events won't happen before September. The 2019-20 professional football season won't restart," Philippe said.

A decision must now be made on whether Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain - 12 points clear of second-placed Marseille with a game in hand - are awarded the title, as well as promotion, relegation and European qualification.

Toulouse are rooted to the foot of the table, 10 points behind second-bottom Amiens with 10 games to play, with Nimes in 18th spot.

Lorient and Lens occupy the two automatic promotion spots in the second tier.

There is a meeting between the Sports Ministry, the LFP and French Football Federation (FFF) scheduled later on Tuesday.

The Eredivisie was last week cancelled with no champions crowned, promotion or relegation.

The LFP last week revealed its plans to resume Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons on June 17 and complete the campaigns by July 25.

Yet the government has decided that games will not even be able to take place behind closed doors.

The divisions were suspended indefinitely on March 13 amid the COVID-19 crisis, with over 23,000 having died in France after contracting the virus and a nationwide lockdown in place until at least May 11.

Pre-match protocols altered indefinitely in Ligue 1 amid coronavirus fears

COVID-19 was discovered in the Hubei region of China in December last year and has since gone on to infect people in 77 countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

With 212 recorded cases, France is the third most-affected European country, behind Italy (2,502) and Germany (240).

Top-flight sport in France is yet to impacted on a scale similar to Italy, where matches have been postponed to limit the illness' spread.

But, after banning handshakes before the previous round of fixtures, LFP has again revised its pre-match protocol for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches.

A statement read: "In constant contact with the public authorities (Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Health), the LFP will work on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Prefectures, the clubs concerned and the broadcasters, in each situation that arises by scrupulously respecting the recommendations of the government and by applying the decisions of the local prefects.

"In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to promote barrier gestures, the LFP competitions commission modified the pre-match protocol.

"This new set-up, which aims to avoid shaking hands, will apply until further notice in LFP competitions:

"The players and the central referee will hold mascot kids by the shoulder during the entrance of the teams.

"After the lining up of the players, they will disperse on the field.

"Handshakes between coaches, referees and delegates will be removed."

However, there remain no restrictions specifically relating to the matches or the attending of games for the time being.

PSG declared Ligue 1 champions after season is ended early

French prime minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday said the 2019-20 football season could not restart as he banned any sporting events taking place before September, leaving the LFP to decide the "sporting and economic consequences" for the top two tiers.

Following Thursday's meeting, the LFP opted for the final league standings to be determined by points won per match, leaving PSG – who were 12 clear at the top before the campaign was halted – as champions.

"We have decided to work hard to find solutions. We still have difficulties ahead of us. We are in an environment where there is a lot of sporting tension," Nathalie Boy de la Tour, LFP president, said at a news conference.

"We had worked on recovery scenarios for mid-June. We worked on the economy and treasury for the clubs: sponsorship and ticketing. We had worked behind the scenes. I don't like to talk to say nothing – I'm coming to you with concrete things.

"We have marked the end of the 2019-2020 season, and we have awarded the title of champions to PSG in Ligue 1 and Lorient in Ligue 2."

LFP executive director general Didier Quillot confirmed the final standings were allocated on a points-per-game ratio, before adding only the bottom two teams will be relegated to Ligue 2, with no play-off taking place to determine if a third team from the second tier also goes up.

It means Toulouse and Amiens will be relegated and Lens will be promoted along with Lorient.

"The rankings were allocated according to a performance index and a criterion of the points-per-matches-played ratio at the end of the 28th matchday. It is the same rule adopted by the FFF [French Football Federation]," he said.

"There will be two promotions and two relegations between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. There will be no play-offs."

The LFP published the final classification shortly after the announcement, confirming Marseille and Rennes will join PSG in the Champions League places, while Reims and Nice are expected to follow Lille into the Europa League if the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France cannot go ahead.

The victors of both competitions will take up Europa League spots as normal if, as Quillot desires, they are allowed to play the two finals in August.

"If the government allows us to play behind closed doors from August, we will think about the possibility of playing the finals of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue in early August," he said. "We will need the green light from UEFA.

"If the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France take place in early August, the places for the Europa League will be allocated to their winners, if the winner is not PSG. The rule does not change."

PSG will face Lyon and Saint-Etienne in the respective Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France finales.

Valenciennes keeper claims he was bitten in face in Sochaux scrap

Players from both sides clashed after the final whistle of the 0-0 draw at Stade du Hainaut, with Prior seen recoiling after a coming-together with Sochaux's Ousseynou Thioune.

"Jerome has a bite on his cheek," said Valenciennes head coach Olivier Guegan after the match. "I was in the dressing room; I didn't see anything.

"It's a shame the post-match will tarnish the game, but that's not the most important thing. We put in a coherent and strong performance against a team that is unbeaten and in a really good dynamic. I really liked the spirit of the group."

Prior was quoted by So Foot as saying: "There are pictures. The league and justice will do their job. I have no comment to make."

Sochaux coach Omar Daf suggested his players had been provoked, saying: "A player doesn't go crazy without something happening first.

"I heard insults at the end of the match. There was a lot of provocation, but you have to have more control."

Sochaux are third in the table, three points behind leaders Paris, while Valenciennes are eighth.

Wenger on foreign owners: You can't squander football culture for financial reasons

Former Arsenal boss Wegner, who now works as FIFA's chief of global football development, believes an increase in purchases from overseas sources can have a negative effect on the game if not monitored closely. 

Marseille, Bordeaux and Le Havre all have American owners, while Toulouse – who were relegated to Ligue 2 following the decision to abandon the 2019-20 top-flight campaign – are in talks with an investment firm out of the United States. 

In the Premier League, Newcastle United are expected to be purchased by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium. 

Wenger believes a process needs to be implemented to ensure "football culture" is not eroded away by those with eyes only on finances. 

"Unfortunately, I think today we are witnessing a reverse phenomenon," Wenger told beIN SPORTS. 

"For example, if you take French clubs, they gradually fall into the hands of people who are not real builders for the future of the club, but rather investors who seek to earn money very quickly. 

"We can see in France today there are a lot of problems at this level because the clubs are dissatisfied, the supporters feel that the primary goal is not to build a good team but to achieve financial game. 

"Perhaps we should create a Club Purchasing Ethics Commission to see what the real intentions of the people who buy our clubs are. 

"You can't squander a country's football culture just for financial reasons."