Harry Kane says he only found out about Manchester City’s guilty verdict after England’s Nations League win over Czech Republic. The Premier League confirmed on Tuesday afternoon, a few hours before England’s clash in Prague, that Man City have been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules.
Sham agreements and possible sanctions
An independent commission found that Manchester City ‘relied on sham agreements to artificially inflate the club’s revenues and reduce its costs’ in the period between 2009 and 2018. Man City immediately issued a statement of their own maintaining their innocence ahead of a likely appeal which must be submitted before October 2.
But the Premier League said the conversation around sanctions will be addressed ‘in a further hearing with the independent commission’, with expulsion from the division believed to be a possible punishment.
England players in action
Manchester City’s Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi both started England’s Nations League win over Czech Republic just hours after their club’s guilty verdict was confirmed. Asked whether the subject was discussed in the England camp, Three Lions captain Kane said: ‘To be honest today I didn’t even know the news literally until after the game. I’ve been off my phone all day.
‘I can’t comment on it now. I’m sure in the next days it will be spoken about in a casual way. I always say when we’re here we’re with England.
‘We have our England head on and those guys [Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi] will deal with it obviously when they are back. From our point of view it is all about Croatia on Saturday.’
Tuchel’s response
England boss Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, confirmed he had not spoken with Anderson or Guehi about Man City’s charges. Asked whether he had to ‘look after’ the pair given the extraordinary circumstances, Tuchel said: ‘I did not. I have a bad conscience now.
‘I did not actually because I am just focused on everything we have to deal with here and to prepare the team. I did not talk to them about the issue and I will not comment on it.
‘I think Marc today was absolutely excellent after a tough match against Spain. The reaction was on the highest level and Elliot Anderson had a good match as well.’
England were beaten by World Cup holders Spain in their Nations League opener but responded with a comfortable 2-0 win over Czech Republic. Tuchel’s side played the majority of the game with a numerical advantage after Pavel Sulc was sent off following a VAR review for a late tackle on Anderson.
Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon broke the Czech’s resistance with a goal straight after half-time before Kane put the game to bed with a 69th-minute strike.
Professional performance
On England’s performance, Kane added: ‘Job done, it was a professional performance.
‘It wasn’t the most exciting game of football but we did what we had to. Won the game, good clean sheet and we take it into the next one.’
Tuchel, meanwhile, said: ‘We played a professional second half. We stepped up in urgency, bit of quicker play and better ball speed.
‘We deserved to win the second half. With the red card we became heavy, heavy favourites but a clean sheet is always important, it gives everyone a good feeling.
‘There’s always things to improve but overall a serious performance and a deserved win.’
England return to action against Croatia on Saturday evening before another clash with Czech Republic next Tuesday at Wembley.
