Former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has reacted to the verdict in the Manchester City financial breaches case, insisting that the potential violations should not cast a shadow over the players.
Robertson, who twice finished as Premier League runner-up with Liverpool behind Manchester City, recently made the move to Tottenham after wrapping up his career at Anfield with 378 appearances.
Speaking at a Scotland press conference, Robertson expressed his disbelief:
I think you can hear in my voice just how shocked I am. This case has been dragging on for a while. But for me, the Manchester City players have proven on the pitch that they were good enough.
I’m not too familiar with the specifics of the allegations. But they had an incredible team that I enjoyed competing against.
He emphasized that the players should not be held accountable for the club’s hierarchy decisions:
I don’t think players should be blamed in situations like this. That’s all I can focus on.
According to reports from British media, an independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules between 2009 and 2018. The club denies the allegations and intends to appeal the ruling.
In light of this verdict, some Premier League clubs are also weighing up the possibility of seeking compensation. Among them is Manchester United, which is assessing the financial impact from seasons where they finished behind City in the race for silverware.
The 2011/12 season, when Manchester City clinched the title with Sergio Aguero's famous last-minute goal, is under particular scrutiny. Another key season was 2017/18, when Jose Mourinho's side finished second as City amassed a then-record 100 points.
Any claims from other clubs are expected to be addressed once Manchester City’s appeal concludes.
