Arsène Wenger publicly accused Manchester City of intentionally circumventing Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations as early as mid-July 2011. Wenger’s accusations centered around a £400 million sponsorship deal between Manchester City and Etihad Airways. He alleged the deal was structured to bypass the rules designed to ensure financial stability in football. The claim surfaced years before recent allegations and investigations into Manchester City's financial conduct. This early accusation highlights long-standing concerns regarding the club’s financial practices. Wenger’s statement provides a historical context to the ongoing debate surrounding Manchester City’s adherence to FFP. The controversy revolves around whether the sponsorship deal represented genuine fair market value.