Pochettino: Man City Charges Confirm 'Period of Deceit'

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has stated that Manchester City being found guilty of the majority of charges related to Premier League financial rule breaches would confirm a "period of deceit," adding that no punishment could adequately repair the damage caused.

Manchester City were found guilty of the vast majority of charges brought against them by the Premier League concerning financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018. The findings of the tribunal, which concluded in December 2024, have not yet been made public. During the period in question, the club won three Premier League titles as part of an eight-trophy haul.

Pochettino, who managed Southampton from 2013 to 2014 and Tottenham from 2014 to 2019, expressed his astonishment at the magnitude of the verdict. "It's very difficult when out of 115 charges you are found guilty of 114 to know what the punishment should be to make it fair," Pochettino said.

He drew comparisons to other clubs like Nottingham Forest and Everton, which he noted received different sanctions for breaking rules. "It's a very difficult situation that causes astonishment given the magnitude of the verdict. And it's also fair to ask where the controls were for the rules to be broken like that. That's what catches my attention the most."

During Pochettino's tenure at Tottenham, the club missed out on Champions League qualification on four occasions between 2010 and 2015. This included finishing fifth in the 2010-11, 2012-13, and 2014-15 seasons. In the 2011-12 season, they finished fourth but missed qualification because Chelsea won the Champions League despite finishing sixth.

Pochettino highlighted the financial constraints his Tottenham side operated under, particularly during the construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when the club famously did not sign any players in the summer or winter transfer windows of the 2018-19 season.

He also referenced his recent comments suggesting Tottenham should have been awarded the 2017 Premier League title. That season, Chelsea, managed by Antonio Conte, secured the title, finishing seven points ahead of Tottenham. Chelsea has since admitted to breaking rules through secret payments totaling over £47 million to unregistered agents and third parties to facilitate transfers.

"Why were those controls so strict with us and not as much with others?" Pochettino questioned. "That's why I say everything is very strange, and the problem is that everything gets clouded. If it's true that they broke 114 rules, we have lived through a period of deceit. No type of punishment will make it possible to repair what was done, and the Premier League's controls are severely damaged."

He added, "It's a very sad situation because what was already achieved and celebrated maybe wasn't real, and what wasn't so good could have been better. We have lived through a period where sporting justice did not exist. If the charges are proven, it's very difficult to repair what happened. I hope that at least it serves to ensure equality exists in the future."

Tottenham is among four clubs—along with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United—that served legal notices last year, reserving their right to take action should City be found guilty. These clubs intend to argue that City's alleged rule-breaking cost them titles, trophies, European qualification, and significant financial income.

Despite the independent commission siding with the Premier League, Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has indicated that the club's legal challenge will continue for a considerable time. "It's taken eight years to get here, and it's going to take a lot more time," Soriano told executives at a meeting of the European Club Association. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak stated that the club's confidence in proving its innocence remains strong.

Manchester City has 14 days to lodge an appeal against the findings, which would be heard by a separate panel. Premier League rules allow for a range of punishments, including expulsion.