Stefan Borson: Arsenal made ‘surprising’ decision as rule breach confirmed
Arsenal’s punishment has been revealed after they were found to have breached the FA’s rules earlier this year.
The FA confirmed on 10 October the Professional Game Board (PGB) has sanctioned Arsenal for breaching the FA Cup rule 192 last season.
It relates to Arsenal’s third-round clash against Manchester United, where they were beaten on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on 12 January.
The rule in question states the home club shall comply with any request for tickets made in accordance with rule 191.
Under rule 191, the away club – in this case Man United – have the right to claim up to 15 per cent of tickets issued or, if a ground is not all ticketed, up to 15 per cent of its maximum capacity, provided the tickets are for a fully segregated area and the request is made within four days of the relevant draw.
Arsenal have ‘good reason’ for breaching FA rules
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it’s a “surprising” situation for Arsenal to have found themselves in.
After deciding Mikel Arteta’s side had breached the rules, the PGB imposed a suspended fine worth £500,000.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I think it is quite unusual and quite surprising. Teams throw money around, but it’s still quite a lot of money.
“I mean, £500k is probably 10 people at their average salary for a year. I don’t think it’s something that they would want to be repeated. I assume there will have been good reason for it.
“They know the rules, so there’s likely to have been a rationale why they just decided to take the pain of a breach and hope that the fine wasn’t going to be significant.”
The fine is suspended pending the Gunners’ confirmation they are able to comply with the requirements for this season’s FA Cup third round and any potential fixtures beyond that at the Emirates in the 2025-26 campaign.
Arsenal could breach Uefa’s financial rules
Meanwhile, there has been speculation in recent weeks Arsenal could breach Uefa’s financial rules following their heavy spending in the summer transfer window.
Clubs in European competitions are required to keep spending on player wages and fees to 70 per cent of revenue for this calendar year under the governing body’s regulations.
Arsenal posted a club-record revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover improved from £466.7million to £616.6m.
However, Arsenal’s wage bill is the fourth-highest in the Premier League, with their latest published accounts for 2023-24 revealing their wages surged from £234.8m in 2022-23 to £327.8m.
That figure is expected to have risen following their recent spending.
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