ARSENE WENGER’S list of player fines shows just how strict Frank Lampard is with his stars.
An array of in-house rules at Chelsea have leaked online that showed Lamps docks squad members £2,500 for every 15 minutes they are late to training, TEN times more than the legendary Arsenal boss did.
Other fines at Stamford Bridge this season include a maximum of £10,000 for not reporting illness or injury before a day off, with a £5,000 charge for refusing to take part in the club’s corporate duties.
In contrast, Arsenal’s players under Wenger during the 2012/13 season faced a much more relaxed discipline scheme.
Gunners stars would be forced to cough up £1,000 for not turning up for matches they are not involved in, with only a £500 punishment for not participating in commercial activities.
Chelsea players caught with their phone ringing during a team meal or meeting will also have to pay a grand, again ten times more than anyone at Arsenal who left a newspaper in the dressing room.
Lampard proved he won’t stand for any of his squad not appropriately dressed for travelling, with stars handing over £1,000 compared to the paltry £100 at the Emirates.
Part of this huge hike in fines could be the rise of inflation in football, with Gareth Bale’s then-record £85m move to Real Madrid in 2013 being topped NINE times since then.
For example, Callum Hudson-Odoi penned a five-year £180,000 a week deal at Chelsea in September, with Theo Walcott, who was Arsenal’s top goalscorer under Wenger that year, on £100,000.
The Germans do well economically and we respect that. They are the only ones that make money in Europe
Arsene Wenger on choosing Per Mertesacker to collect player fines
Yet Lampard’s no-nonsense attitude seems to be serving his players well, with the Blues joint-second in the Premier League after 12 games.
Meanwhile, Wenger’s Arsenal in 2013 finished fourth and trophyless, with former hero Robin van Persie proving instrumental in landing rivals Manchester United the title.
It was revealed at the time that former club captain Per Mertesacker, who is now head of the Gunners academy, was tasked with collecting the player fines.
When asked why the defender was chosen, Wenger joked: “The Germans do well economically and we respect that. They are the only ones that make money in Europe. That’s why we’ve chosen a German.”
One example of the Frenchman being tougher than Lampard is the seven-day deadline his players were given to pay their fines before they were doubled, compared to the 14 at Stamford Bridge.
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Wenger did admit at the time that he was saddened about the club’s inner workings going viral: “It’s more disappointing than upsetting.
“It’s one of the things I told you before. You cannot keep anything inside any more.
“It’s frustrating because I feel you have a right to privacy inside the dressing room. When that is not respected, it’s disappointing.
“It was not malicious. It’s more innocent. The intention counts for me and I don’t think the intention behind that was anything bad. It’s more disappointing than anything else.
“I don’t talk about what happens inside. We live in a world that you do not have to come into our sleeping room to know exactly what happens.
“It becomes a little bit ridiculous now that every single moment of a football club has to be absolutely public and explained.
“We have to stand up for our bad performances, but not for everything that goes on at the club.”
Arsenal's fines under Arsene Wenger
Non-attendance of unused players at home matches without permission of Manager – £1000
Late for training – £250 (15 minutes), £500 (30 minutes)
Late for treatment/ massage – £250 (15 minutes), £500 (30 minutes)
Late for travel – £500
Late for matchday meetings/meals – £250
Wrong kit on match days – £100
Inappropriate clothing outside the Dressing Room – £100
Newspapers, laptops and phones in the Medical Room – £100
Newspapers in Dressing Rooms – £100
Non production of urine sample for 2 consecutive weeks – £200
Phone calls in the building (texting allowed) – £500
No participating in Commercial activities (including Club Day) – £500
All Fines to be paid in cash to Per Mertesacker within 7 days of being posted.
If not paid within 7 days – all fines will be doubled
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An Arsenal spokesman said at the time: “The pictures are genuine. We understand that they were taken by a friend of a member of staff during a private visit to the training ground.
“The manager was made aware of the pictures being published, and we are very disappointed. We will review our procedures.”
