Manchester City Appeal Financial Breach Verdict as Mancini Distances Himself
Manchester City have lodged an appeal against the Premier League verdict on financial-rule breaches, while former manager Roberto Mancini has again insisted that the case is a matter for the club, not him.
Mancini distances himself from contract scrutiny
The Italy coach was questioned at the Stade de France on Thursday, before Friday’s match against France, about allegations connected to his time in charge of City between 2009 and 2013.
Mancini said he was not concerned by the proceedings, repeating that the issue belonged to Manchester City. He had made a similar point before Italy’s Nations League game in Turkey last weekend, when he referred to having held two contracts during his City spell.
“It is not something that involves me,” Mancini said in Paris. “It is City’s issue, unfortunately.”
He had previously maintained that City were not guilty and suggested that any consequences of the dual-contract arrangement would be for the club to address.
Manager payments form part of wider case
One allegation in the Premier League case concerns whether City supplied correct information on payments to players and managers from 2009-10 through to 2017-18.
Documents made public in 2018 indicated that Mancini’s £1.45 million annual basic pay was effectively doubled through consultancy work for an Abu Dhabi club. The arrangement has prompted claims that around £12 million in income tax and National Insurance may have been avoided in connection with his earnings.
City have consistently rejected wrongdoing throughout the lengthy investigation.
Timeline of the case and Mancini’s City spell
- Abu Dhabi’s ruling family completed its takeover of Manchester City in 2008.
- Mancini managed City from 2009 until his dismissal in 2013.
- He delivered the 2011 FA Cup and City’s first league championship in 50 years in 2011-12.
- City sacked Mancini days after the 2013 FA Cup final defeat to Wigan.
- The Premier League issued its verdict on Tuesday, finding City guilty on all charges linked to serious financial-rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.
- City confirmed on Friday that it was challenging that ruling through an appeal.
What happens next
The appeal process will now determine whether the Premier League verdict stands, is amended or is overturned. Mancini’s comments make clear that he does not expect to take an active role in City’s response, despite the scrutiny around his salary arrangements.
- City are appealing after being found guilty of serious financial breaches covering 2009-18.
- The allegations include the accuracy of information supplied on manager and player remuneration.
- Mancini has acknowledged a dual-contract setup but says it is City’s responsibility.
- The former City manager remains Italy coach and was preparing for Friday’s game in France.
