Newcastle United midfielder Nico Gonzalez has said he 'feels bad' for his former Manchester City teammates following the guilty verdict against the club. An independent panel found City guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
A Premier League statement revealed that the club had artificially inflated their revenue by around £900 million through 'sham' sponsorship deals between 2009 and 2018. City strongly deny the charges and have launched an appeal against the verdict.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, then City face potential punishments which could include points deductions, massive fines and even expulsion from the Premier League. It's a situation Newcastle will be keeping a close eye on.
Gonzalez on his former club
Gonzalez, who completed a £50 million move to St James' Park from the Etihad Stadium in August, is likely to be keeping an even closer eye on his former club. While he wouldn't be drawn into details, he expressed his sympathy for his former colleagues.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It's hard for me because I have mixed emotions, I really want them to succeed, not only my old teammates, but people who work there. I had a year and a half there and I built so many connections and so many relationshhips and I will always wish them the best personally."
"But obviously, I am just a player, I can't say 'this has to be the punishment'. I just wish them personally, everyone I have been around, the best."
"The club, I don't know what to say because I am not aware of everything, I'm just like outside so I can't say anything."
Impact on players and staff
When asked if it will be difficult for the players, he added: "That's something I didn't like, not knowing what's going to happen in the future, so obviously I feel bad for them.
"Not only for them, but for some staff members, some people that work behind the scenes, so I feel bad because for everyone it must be a really hard situation."
The 24-year-old has played three times for Newcastle since making the move, but was handed a blow after suffering a head injury early in the defeat against Leeds United. Concussion protocols meant that he had to sit out the win over Hull City before the international break.
He should therefore be back in time for Monday night's away clash against Coventry City (8pm kick-off) as Premier League action returns. Frank Lampard's side picked up their first league win of the campaign before the break.
