The UK Government has confirmed it will not intervene in any decisions regarding the Manchester City case, following the club's guilty verdict on financial charges. Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy moved to ease fears of political interference after Premier League clubs expressed concern.
Manchester City have been found guilty by an independent commission of clearly intending to circumvent Premier League financial rules over a nine-season period. The club has been found guilty on all counts of breaching the league's financial rules and 'the majority of charges' relating to failing to co-operate with the league's investigation.
Appeal lodged and political concerns raised
The Etihad club has lodged an appeal and claims to have a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence' that supports its innocence. Prime Minister Andy Burnham raised eyebrows earlier this month when he said he would be 'really concerned' if City's Abu Dhabi owners left following the commission verdict, emphasising the potential for the case to have implications for diplomatic and trade relations between the UK and the UAE.
That, according to talkSPORT, has prompted fear among Premier League clubs that there could be political interference in the case. But Nandy has moved to ease those concerns.
Government's position on football integrity
"I want to be crystal clear that, whilst we are really grateful to investors who come from all over the world to invest in our clubs and help to ensure their viability and their success, they are custodians, both of their clubs and of the game," she told talkSPORT.
"They have a responsibility to play by the rules and uphold the rules. So, we will not, as a government, be involved in any decision-making around whether these allegations are upheld, it's for football to determine that because the integrity of the game is at stake."
"Once that has been determined, obviously there is a role for government to manage any fallout from that. But the integrity of the game is not in question, it is not up for grabs."
"I've been very clear since I became Culture Secretary that people don't want to see politics in their game. They want the joy of the game, the love of the game, the excitement of the game, and they want to make sure that fans are at the heart of that process."
"That is the right and proper role governing, it's to protect that integrity and put the fans back at the heart of football where they belong. That's what we've done with the Football Governance Act and the Independent Regulator, and it's now for football to step up and make a determination in this case, and really meet this moment."
Independent regulator powers
Nandy also confirmed that the new Independent Football Regulator (IFR), tasked with protecting and sustaining English football, has the power to remove owners if needed. She said: "Obviously, there is an independent process currently running its course. Manchester City has appealed, there is an independent tribunal that the Premier League has established, which will hear that appeal."
"But once that tribunal concludes, if the allegations are upheld, the Independent Football Regulator can intervene, he can investigate the ownership and, at its most extreme, he can compel the owners if he believes they're not fit (to run) the club."
"We're not there yet, it's absolutely right that Manchester City get the right to defend themselves and they do strongly refute the allegations."
"But in the event that they do not believe that a club is in safe hands, we've fought tooth and nail to give the Independent Regulator the power (to remove the owners). I am not prepared to see other fans going through what we went through at Wigan, what the Bury fans went through, and so many others besides."
