Arsene Wenger has called on Roman Abramovich to show moral leadership at Chelsea and speak out about the way he wants his club to behave as their success on the field is coloured by various misdemeanours off it.
The Arsenal manager is disappointed by Abramovich's silence after Chelsea were charged with making an illegal approach for his left-back, Ashley Cole, and also punished by Uefa this week for bringing the game into disrepute.
Wenger stressed his respect for Chelsea's achievements on the pitch, but said big clubs were also "all about values" off it. In an apparent reference to Jose Mourinho, he added: "Sometimes we have to be reminded as managers as well what we are about and which way the club wants to go."
Asked if it would be helpful to hear from Abramovich, Wenger said: "Yes, I think it would be helpful. That's what I call a voice. He's the tone-giving voice in that club. He is very powerful. I think it's important that we know, for English football and the Premier League, the way they want to go and the way he wants to lead the club."
Arsenal's behaviour has been far from unblemished under Wenger, but the club's chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, has spoken out occasionally, including to criticise the players' behaviour at Manchester United last season.
"I do not want to take something away from Chelsea for what they have achieved on the pitch, because the players and staff have done a tremendous job and been very efficient and very hungry," Wenger said. "Every club has its values and I would like to hear a voice at Chelsea coming out and saying what they really want to do, what they want to be in England and how they want to behave. I feel we miss that voice and I think it's important for English football. They will be a leading club in the coming years.
"I have made mistakes, (Alex) Ferguson has made mistakes, because we are all under pressure and we all make make mistakes in the heat of the game. But it's important there is a voice coming out from the club - sometimes a manager, sometimes a chairman - which gives the values."
Chelsea plc chairman Bruce Buck did say on Thursday the club were "very sorry" that the referee Anders Frisk had retired after threats from purported Chelsea fans. Mourinho had alleged that Frisk held an improper conversation with the Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard during their Champions League meeting.
Jermaine Pennant has been given clearance by the Premier League to play for Birmingham City against Tottenham at St Andrew's today wearing an electronic tag.
The 22-year-old winger must wear the tag for the next fortnight as a condition of the parole granted him following his early release from prison on Thursday.
Aston Villa manager David O'Leary has been told he will be given a transfer budget of £20 million (€29 million) to strengthen his undermanned squad during the summer. O'Leary was expected to be given a maximum of £4 million, but chairman Doug Ellis is understood to be ready to realise some of the club's property assets and use the proceeds on players.
"It's fantastic news and has come as a big surprise," said O'Leary. "Perhaps the board has realised there are no players coming through from the reserves or youth team. This means I can go out and sign three or four top-quality players."
Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has signed a one-year extension to his current contract - estimated to be worth $3.5 million - and Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd revealed that the extension refers to Shearer as "player-coach".
Guardian Service
