Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has addressed allegations regarding a 'double contract' during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
On Friday, an independent commission found the club guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules on the overwhelming majority of 115 charges. Among the claims was the concealment of accurate information concerning payments to players and coaches from 2009 to 2018. Back in 2018, German publication Der Spiegel revealed documents indicating that Mancini's base salary of £1.45 million was effectively doubled through consultancy services for the Abu Dhabi club.
Under the Italian's leadership, the Citizens secured the FA Cup in 2011 and clinched their first Premier League title in 2012. Ahead of an international Nations League match against Turkey, Mancini was quizzed about the hidden payments:
This issue doesn’t concern me. In any case, there’s nothing new here; this topic comes up every four to five years. Manchester City is innocent, and the existence of a double contract is not my problem, but rather theirs.
The hierarchy at the Manchester club vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak reassured fans, emphasising that the investigation is far from over and the club's resolve to prove its innocence is unwavering.
Meanwhile, journalist Ben Jacobs warned on talkSPORT of catastrophic scenarios:
The Premier League insists on a record points deduction or even the expulsion of the team from the top flight. Should City be ousted from the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL) leadership is prepared to support this stance in solidarity, preventing the club from participating in its tournaments. In the worst-case scenario, Manchester City risks finding themselves outside of professional football.
