Roberto Mancini has defended Manchester City after the club were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. The former City boss, now Italy manager, said he does not think the club were found guilty, and insisted the allegations are not a problem that concerns him.
Mancini's response to the verdict
Reports emerged on Friday claiming that City had been found guilty of all-but-one of the 115 charges. City continue to maintain their innocence, with the alleged breaches starting in 2009, the same year that Mancini took charge as the club's manager.
One of the allegations against City is that payments reported to have been made to Mancini were made off the books. A report in Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Mancini earned money from a second contract and another agreement in place with Al Jazira, which is also owned by City chief Sheikh Mansour.
Mancini's statement
Speaking ahead of Monday's Nations League clash between Italy and Turkey, Mancini said: "I don't think Manchester City were found guilty, quite the opposite. It's not a problem that concerns me, and it isn't anything new. Manchester City are not guilty, and on the double contract it isn't my problem, theirs if anything."
The 61-year-old recently embarked upon his second stint as manager of Italy.
City chairman's reassurance
On Saturday, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak reassured supporters that he remains firmly confident of establishing the club's innocence. In an open letter to fans, Al Mubarak wrote: "Following Friday's media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here's what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club's innocence is just as strong as when this began."
He added: "There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies. I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023. Every word matters and holds true."
Al Mubarak concluded: "While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity."
