Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has described references to the Premier League’s charges against the club as “frustrating” and called upon the top flight to show more “sensibility” when implementing financial rules.
City celebrated winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title last month, an unprecedented achievement in the history of English football, after Pep Guardiola’s side narrowly finished ahead of runners-up Arsenal by two points.
Yet in February last year, City were charged with more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League’s financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons and referred to an independent commission, which is expected to hear the case later this year.
City deny the allegations and, speaking in his annual interivew with the club, Al Mubarak suggested that “constant” references to the ongoing Premier League case are disheartening for the club’s staff and supporters.
“Of course, it’s frustrating. I think the referencing is always frustrating, having it being talked about the way it’s being talked about,” the City chairman said. “I can feel for our fanbase, and everyone associated with the club, to have these charges constantly referenced.
“I think we as a club have to respect that there is a process that we have to go through, and we’re going through it. It’s taking longer than what anyone hoped for, but it is what it is, and I’ve always repeated, let’s be judged by the facts, and not by claims and counterclaims.”
City are accused of failing to provide accurate financial information and details of payments to players and coaching staff, as well as breaches of UEFA’s financial fair play regulations and the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
On Tuesday, it emerged that City have also brought a separate legal case against the Premier League, related to the league’s rules on associated party transactions (APT). A two-week hearing due to begin on June 10.
Al Mubarak was not asked specifically on the Premier League’s APT rules but when questioned on PSR and other financial regulations, he claimed the top flight should adopt a more “balanced approach”.
“I think the Premier League got to where it is today by being the most competitive league. So, I hope there is a bit more sensibility in regulating,” Al Mubarak said.
“Always a balanced approach is good from all the leagues, be it in England or the rest of Europe. I think you won’t see the same level as we’ve seen in the last years, because of the levels of regulations that have come into place over the last 12 months.”
Al Mubarak suggested that the level of regulation – and the willingness of authorities to punish clubs found in breach – will be reflected in the transfer market this summer, at City and beyond.
“There’s also been a lot of restrictions now put in place on swaps and loans, so even that is now much more restricted,” he said.
“So, I think the level of manoeuvrability that was in place before that allowed teams to do what they were able to do in the past, I think, is much more restricted this year and that’s going to be reflected, I believe, this summer.”
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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