Roberto Mancini has again spoken about the Premier League charges facing Manchester City, saying the matter is not an issue that concerns him. The former City manager made the comments during his first international break back in charge of Italy.
Mancini's latest comments on the charges
Speaking on Sunday, Mancini said: "It's not an issue that concerns me. It's nothing new because this matter has been discussed for the last four or five years."
The charges were brought against his former club in February 2023. A section of them relates to a "failure to provide accurate financial reports for player and manager compensation between 2009 and 2018", allegedly involving dual contracts for individuals such as Mancini to facilitate paying them more than was officially reported.
Allegations of dual contracts
Mancini joined City in December 2009 and was dismissed in May 2013, two days after his team lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final. He was alleged to have had two contracts, one as a consultant with City Football Group partner club Al Jazira, owned by Sheikh Mansour.
When the charges were first brought, Mancini was in his first stint as Italy head coach. Asked about them at a press conference in March 2023, before England played Italy in a European Championship qualifier, he said: "I haven't been contacted or called up by anyone. I don't think anyone will contact me. I have paid my taxes, and it's all above board, so I don't think anyone will be in touch."
Mancini's career since leaving City
Three-and-a-half years later, Mancini is coaching Italy again. He resigned from his role within months of making those comments to take charge of Saudi Arabia, but lasted barely 12 months before agreeing with the football federation to end his four-year contract early.
He then joined Al-Sadd last November, winning the UAE-Qatar Super Shield and Qatar Stars League before leaving by mutual agreement this summer. A month and a half later, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago announced his return to the national team.
Manuel Pellegrini, Mancini's successor at City, also addressed the charges two years ago, saying: "I am sure the fans of Manchester City are really happy with the way the club works and the way they play and the trophies they have won during all these years. You always have criticism about a lot of things." Pep Guardiola spoke several times during his tenure, but has not since the latest developments.
