Europa League final hangs in controversy as ex-Arsenal boss slams current UEFA rule—calls for justice amid PL failures!
Arsène Wenger has ignited a major storm by calling for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to be barred from Champions League qualification, even if they win the Europa League on May 21. Speaking to BeIN Sports, the former Arsenal manager insists UEFA must revoke the rule that grants Champions League access to Europa League winners—especially when clubs finish outside the top ten domestically.
Context:
Europa League Final: Man United vs Spurs in Bilbao.
League Position: United 15th, Spurs 16th – both abysmal in Premier League.
UEFA Rule (2014): Europa League winners qualify for the next season’s UCL.
Wenger’s stance: “You should not get Europe’s top prize while failing miserably at home.”
Both clubs reached the final convincingly — United thrashed Bilbao 3-0, and Spurs beat Bodo/Glimt 3-1 — but Wenger argues their shocking league campaigns make their potential UCL qualification unjustified.
He says UEFA should “keep the prize within the Europa League or domestic qualification routes,” noting the Premier League already has five qualifying UCL slots.
Wenger’s comments place pressure on UEFA ahead of one of the most controversial finals in years, as Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou prepare for a trophy-or-bust showdown. Amorim admits his United side has shifted focus entirely to Europe after 16 league defeats, while Spurs eye their first sil
verware since 2008.
