Arsene Wenger has admitted serious fears for the future of English
football.
The Arsenal manager believes the domestic game in England is in
danger of being severely damaged by mass media coverage and new
club ownership.
Arsenal are themselves reported to be the takeover target of
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and Wenger insists the
increasingly business orientated ownership of English clubs is
another damaging factor.
"English football is losing his soul," Wenger told The Sun. "Fans
are the keeper of our football.
"But the first signs of danger are there to see. Stadiums are
starting to empty, TV channels and radio stations are overcrowded
with football.
"There is a kind of overdose looming.
"Suddenly the English model has gone from owner-supporters to
owner-businessman.
"The danger wasn't there yesterday but it's there today. Of course
you can have business integrated into the sport while still
respecting the values of football.
"However perhaps it is time for people to worry."