Ian Wright has accused Gary Neville of ‘talking like Trump’ in a furious row over Manchester City and the 115 charges that currently hang over the club.
City have been accused of breaking financial fair play rules over a nine-year period, which started in 2009 and went on until 2018.
They have also been charged with failing to co-operate with the Premier League’s investigations over their finances, though they strenuously deny any wrongdoing.
Nonetheless, the matter has spanned for years. City were first charged with 115 rule breaches in 2023, though it’s believed the actual number is around 130.
Three years on, there is still no end to the saga in sight, with Pep Guardiola’s men currently competing with Arsenal for the Premier League title.
On the most recent episode of The Overlap, Wright vented his fury that the case was still ongoing.
He ranted: “We’re chasing down, Liverpool have got to get credit as well, we’re chasing down a City side that we’re still talking about charges with them.
“We’re talking about how have they got to this? How have they done that? And still no outcome.
“We still don’t know what’s going on with it and we’re chasing down that team.
Ian Wright has accused Gary Neville of ‘talking like Trump’ in a furious row over Manchester City and the 115 charges that currently hang over the club
|
THEOVERLAP
“We can’t ask, we can’t talk about it, people will probably slaughter me just for mentioning it now.”
Neville then interjected, saying: “Just stop there for a moment. I agree with you, I think it’s a shame to…when I say shame, I think it’s a shame on the game that this hasn’t been resolved yet.
“But what makes you feel it’s important to mention that today, in terms of the charges?”
Wright replied: “Because there’s bearing on the amount of money, the way they’re able to get the players, the way they’re able to buy these great players.
“Listen, we’ve got [Antoine] Semenyo and [Marc] Guehi, they came in the [January] window.”
Manchester City deny any wrongdoing despite being hit with 115 charges
|
PA
“I’d love it if we beat them!” 👀
Wrighty on the challenge Arsenal have faced keeping up with Man City in the title race. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/hIobl7Sipp
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) May 7, 2026
Neville chimed in: “But it’s related to years ago isn’t it?”
Wright continued: “Still, the way it’s been constructed.
“Arsenal can’t construct their team the way City have constructed their team and pay what they pay to get these players, to be able to get these players and for whatever reason, whether it’s ‘from the Etihad’ and ‘oh we’ve got a company over there we’re sponsoring the team.
“All sorts, ‘we’re sponsoring the team for £50million, I don’t know how they get their money but they’re able to get these players, these quality players, top players.
“We brought Gyokeres for £65m-£70m, they’ve got [Tijjani] Reijnders who doesn’t even get on the pitch.”
Paul Scholes, also speaking on the podcast, interjected: “It does feel wrong that they’re allowed to spend £100m in January.”
Wright added: “I’m going around it the long way, but what I’m trying to say is we’re chasing down a team that has got carte blance to do what they’re doing, and there’s 115 charges. We can’t say anything about it, and it’s still not resolved.”
Roy Keane chipped in: “Only thing Arsenal have to do Ian is keep their side of the street clean.”
Wright stated: “Yeah and that’s what I’m proud of. Because obviously, nothing and respect for Scholesy and his opinions, but City have been able to buy players to play a kind of football, entertaining great football, we’ve had to construct a team to try and not only beat them, but to beat them in the only way we can.
“I’d love us to play great football, I would love us to, but this is the hand we’re dealt.”
Arsenal lead Manchester City by five points in the race for this season’s Premier League title
| REUTERS
With tensions rising, Neville said: “It will come out in the wash at some point, and it’s a disgrace it’s taken so long, it’s absolutely shocking.
“And look, in the meantime, I know they’re very different cases, but Everton, Nottingham Forest and other clubs have been punished for it.
“But they could get off every single charge. They could. I know you’ve gone quiet there, but they could.”
Wright snapped back: “Really? Really? So if they get off of every single charge, are we going to be like ‘wow, can’t believe that happened but let’s get on with it.’
“It’s not like five or six. It’s 115! I feel like everybody is speaking like Trump here! Nobody wants to listen.
“I feel like you’re Trump, you’re saying stuff and it’s foolishness!”
Neville attempted to restore order, saying: “I’m with you Wrighty, to have 115 charges brought against you and it not to be sorted, it’s a shocker.”
Arsenal currently lead City by five points, though Guardiola’s men do have a game in hand.
It is, however, unclear when the City case will be resolved. It has been reported that the process has been delayed because judges have been ‘busy on other cases’, though huge uncertainty still surrounds one of the biggest talking points in English football.
