Friday, October 30, 2009

King has future in game - Wenger

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King has a future in the game - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes disgraced striker Marlon King should be allowed to return to football after serving his 18-month prison sentence.

The 29-year-old was convicted of sexual assault and causing actual bodily harm after an incident in a London club.

"When he has paid his sentence, of course you would consider signing someone like that," said Wenger.

But Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said that King would never play for the Craven Cottage side.

King underwent a medical at Fulham in January 2008 but owner Mohamed Al Fayed ended interest in the transfer because of his criminal past.

In 2002 King, then playing for Gillingham, served five months of a two-year prison sentence for handling a stolen car before being released on appeal.

Other previous convictions include dishonesty and a range of motoring offences, including drink-driving.

After his sentencing on Thursday, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was quick to announce his intention to sack the player but the Latics must follow Premier League rules and pay the player's wages for 14 days before terminating his contract.

I know he won't be signed by Fulham. The owner of our club would not embrace that type of signing and I as a manager would not embrace it

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson

King has indicated he will appeal against the length of his jail sentence as well as his dismissal, but Hodgson admitted Fulham's failure to sign King last year was a lucky escape.

"I think we got lucky in that we didn't sign him. I'd only just come to the club and didn't know the player at all," said Hodgson.

"All I knew about him was his goalscoring record and the information I was able to gather, which was not sufficiently detailed.

"There was a problem with the medical and it also became a problem when we found out he had a jail sentence.

"Mohamed Al Fayed was not at all keen on that so the transfer was allowed to collapse and he went to Wigan instead."

Although King's agent Tony Finnigan insists that the player will continue his football career after he is released from prison, Hodgson stressed that Fulham would never consider reviving their interest in the player.

"Marlon's agent is fairly clear on the subject and has a very cynical view," added Hodgson.

"He believes there is no moral judgement in football and the fact the person we're talking about can score goals will blot any moral values people will have.

"I don't know if that's true, but I know he won't be signed by Fulham. The owner of our club would not embrace that type of signing and I as a manager would not embrace it."

The PFA does not represent players when they have broken the law and been convicted on non-footballing matters

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor

But Wenger feels that King has a future in the game after his release from prison.

"I believe that you have justice and it's not my justice, it is the justice that England has decided to apply to his case," stated Wenger.

"Otherwise you would never forgive anybody anything. When he has paid his sentence, some clubs if they want, they will take him."

Finnigan criticised the stance of the Professional Footballers Association, after spokesman Bobby Barnes admitted the player had brought the situation on himself.

But PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor defended its position, saying it was under no obligation to stand by players who break the law and had not even been approached by King.

In a statement on the PFA website, Taylor said: "The PFA does not represent players when they have broken the law and been convicted on non-footballing matters.

"Nevertheless, should any member with anger management or other issues approach us for assistance we are always happy to provide that assistance through the Sporting Chance Clinic, as has been the case with other such high-profile cases.

"We have never been approached by Marlon King or his representatives for such assistance and are therefore unable to rely on any information other than the conviction and sentencing on Thursday."

ะพ 9:02 AM

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