Manchester City maintain innocence as focus grows on Mancini double contract
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at the Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak released a statement insisting the club is innocent, despite reports they were found guilty on 114 financial rule breaches, including Roberto Mancini’s double contract.
The Premier League club faces anything from a fine to having titles stripped, points deducted and a demotion if it is confirmed that they are found guilty of breaking the financial rules on a massive scale.
The 115 charges were originally made in February 2023, including failure to provide accurate details for player and manager payments from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
Mancini contract centre of Manchester City accusations
Notably, among the most obvious issues was current Italy coach Mancini’s salary, which was seen as one of the clearest examples of by-passing the regulations.
Der Spiegel’s investigation using hacked emails found that Mancini received a salary of £1.5m before tax from Manchester City, but had another contract with sister club Al-Jazira worth £1.75m.
This was for consultancy fees, even though it only involved four days of work per year.
It is alleged this was a way of hiding the true extent of Mancini’s salary payment from the Premier League and UEFA financial checks.
This afternoon, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak released a statement on the club website that reiterated their position on the matter.
“While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity.”
The club statement confirmed the Premier League process was not completed yet, and remained subject to strict confidentiality.
“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
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