Former Arsenal executive David Dein, one of the architects behind the creation of the Premier League in 1992, has called for the 115 Financial Fair Play (FFP) charges against Manchester City to be dropped.

Dein, who is widely regarded as an Arsenal hero for appointing Arsène Wenger in 1996, believes the Premier League’s legal action against its own members “doesn’t sit well” with him. Under Wenger, Arsenal won the Premier League three times and the FA Cup seven times.

“Personally I think the rules as they are now should be scrapped and we should start again with a new formula. At the moment it is not working,” Dein told The Times. He suggested a general amnesty before clubs start again under newly-revised rules, stating: “That’s what I would do.”

Manchester City recently won a case against the Premier League, but now face another legal battle over the 115 charges. Dein is concerned that the ongoing disputes are overshadowing the football itself, with lawyers now accompanying clubs to Premier League meetings.

“I want to see the children playing nicely in the playground. At the moment it’s not happening,” Dein said. He also criticized the legal action as costing the league £50 million, arguing that this money would be better spent on grassroots football.

As one of the key figures behind the creation of the Premier League, Dein’s comments carry significant weight in the ongoing FFP saga involving Manchester City