Friday, February 15, 2008

Arsenal: Wenger rejects Fabregas reports

Aresene Wenger today denied Arsenal have opened negatiations over a newe contact with Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas, whose current deal with the Gunners expires in 2014, revealed yesterday that the club has sought talks over fresh terms.


But Wenger insists the Spain midfilder was simply voicing his commitment to the club in respone to speculation over renewed interest from home town club Barcelona.

" At the moment there are no talks. What he wanted to say is that he is committed ti the future here." said the Frechman.

"He was interviewed by Spanish radio and that's all he wanted to say."

Wenger is suprised at the ferocity of the backlash againts the Premier League's proposal to play a 39th game abroad each saeson from 2011.

The palan has recived universal condemnation with FIFA president Sepp Blatter the latest dissenting voice, declaring it will "never happen".

But Wenger insists the idea should be investigatied properly before being written off.

"I'm surprised by immensity of the battle from people who are againts it without really analysing the pros and cons." he said.

"For me the biggest disrespect to the fans is to take money out of their pockets without giving them someting of qulaity.

"I can understand a lot of resistance because there are problems that have to be erased, but you cannot say that a competitive game is disrespectfull to fans.

"Friendly games for huge prices are disrespectful to fans."

Meanwhile, Red and White Holding Ltd have increased their shareholding in Arsenal to 24%.

The investment company, whose chairman is fotmer Gunners vice-chairman David Dein, is owned by Russian businesman Alisher Usmanov and LOndon-based investor Farhad Moshiri.

nd by October had increasted their stake to 23% - making them the second biggest individual shareholder behind director Daniel Fiszman, who has 24.11%

Usmano's interest precipitates a 'lock=down' agreement by Gunner board which expires April - and has an option to be extende - meaning the Uzbek -born metals magnet cannot launch a takeover bid for time being.

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