Special Rules For 'Big Four'!

Last updated : 06 February 2009 By Boro Mad

Reading manager Steve Coppell has branded Andrey Arshavin's deadline-beating move to Arsenal a "total sham".

Premier League officials granted the Gunners an extension due to the bad weather on Monday and were satisfied that an agreement was in place in time.

But Coppell has been left distinctly unimpressed.

Coppell: "The whole thing is a total sham.

"You are looking for the governing body to show leadership and you want rules to be rules rather than rules to be bent.

"The whole transfer window and its policing are on a par with each other.

"The transfer window benefits the wealthier clubs. Why bother with the pretence?

"Now we go into the even bigger pretence of the emergency loan system, which is ridiculous.

"It always has been and always will be. It's just a way of bending the rules."