Italy head coach, Roberto Mancini, has distanced himself from the controversy surrounding Manchester City after the club was reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them by the Premier League.
The Italian was Manchester City manager between 2009 and 2013, overseeing one of the most significant periods in the club’s modern history.
His tenure culminated in the dramatic 2011/12 Premier League title triumph, when Sergio Aguero scored in stoppage time to complete a 3-2 comeback against Queens Park Rangers to seal the trophy.
Mancini’s time at City has now been drawn back into the spotlight because one section of the Premier League case concerns alleged payments made to the manager during his time at the club.
Reports indicate that the charges included allegations that City failed to provide accurate information about player and manager remuneration, alongside claims concerning sponsorship revenue, related-party transactions and compliance with financial regulations.
“Manchester City is not guilty,” Mancini said when asked about the reported verdict. When the question was put to him again, he responded: “Has it been found guilty? I don’t think it has been found guilty. There’s the rest.”
The Premier League’s investigation began in 2018 following revelations from the Football Leaks material, before City were formally charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023.
The alleged breaches cover several seasons between 2009 and 2018, while separate charges concern the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the investigation.
City have consistently denied wrongdoing and have maintained that there is evidence supporting their position. The club has also indicated that the Premier League process remains ongoing despite reports of the commission’s findings.
Mancini Distances Himself From The Controversy
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Italy’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Türkiye in Bursa, Mancini was asked directly about City’s reported guilty verdict and the allegations surrounding a second contract during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Mancini initially challenged the premise of the question before making clear that he did not regard the matter as his responsibility.
Asked specifically about the alleged double contract connected to the case, Mancini replied that “it’s not a problem that concerns me. It’s not something new.”
He added: “It’s been four or five years since Manchester City has been found guilty. Having a double contract is not my fault, but it’s their problem.”
The comments come as the legal dispute surrounding City’s finances enters a potentially telling stage.
Reports say an independent commission has found the club guilty on 114 of the 115 charges, although the commission’s full ruling has not been made public and sanctions have not yet been determined. City are expected to appeal.
The 115 charges were divided into several categories. They include 54 allegations relating to inaccurate financial information, 14 concerning player and manager remuneration, five involving UEFA financial regulations, seven relating to the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, and 35 concerning alleged failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
The significance of the case is heightened by the period it covers. City won three Premier League titles between 2009 and 2018, including their first-ever Premier League championship under Mancini in 2011/12.
Potential Punishments For City
The league’s eventual sanctions could therefore have consequences beyond financial penalties, although no punishment has been formally announced.
Potential sanctions have been widely discussed, including fines and points deductions, while more severe sporting consequences have also been raised.
However, those remain possibilities rather than confirmed punishments, and the final outcome will depend on the commission’s process and any subsequent appeal.
Mancini, meanwhile, has more immediate concerns with Italy. The 61-year-old has returned for a second spell as Azzurri head coach after previously guiding the national team to the Euro 2020 title. He left Italy in 2023 before taking charge of Saudi Arabia.
His second tenure began with disappointment as Italy suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in their Nations League opener. Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico.
Italy now face Türkiye in Bursa on Monday night, with Mancini seeking a response from his revamped squad. The Azzurri’s immediate focus is therefore on collecting their first Nations League points, while the Manchester City controversy continues to develop away from the pitch.
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