Mancini denies any wrongdoing as Manchester City faces fair‑play verdict

Roberto Mancini, who managed Manchester City between 2009 and 2013, has publicly rejected any responsibility for the club’s recent fair‑play ruling, stating that the allegations do not concern him. His comments come after The Athletic reported that the Premier League found Manchester City guilty of 114 of 115 financial‑fair‑play breaches.

Fair‑play accusations and potential sanctions

The Premier League’s independent panel, which received the case in 2023, concluded that the Citizens were culpable of the overwhelming majority of the charges. Manchester City has denied the findings and intends to appeal, meaning no penalty – whether a fine, points deduction, title loss or competition ban – has yet been imposed.

Media outlets, including Der Spiegel, have highlighted that the investigation originated from leaked documents published in 2018, which triggered a four‑year probe into the club’s financial sustainability.

Mancini’s alleged dual contract

According to, Mancini was allegedly paid a base salary of €1.69 million per year by Manchester City, plus a separate “special consultant” agreement with Al Jazira – a United Arab Emirates club owned by Sheikh Mansour – worth €2.03 million annually. The consultancy supposedly required only four days of work per year, with invoices issued quarterly through a company linked to the Italian coach and funds routed via the Abu Dhabi United Group.

These arrangements were said to have been designed to circumvent UEFA’s financial‑fair‑play rules and the Premier League’s own regulations, a point the club disputes.

Rodri, now at Barcelona and speaking on behalf of the Spanish national team, also weighed in on the scandal, but Mancini was the latest former figure associated with the Etihad Stadium to comment.

During a press conference on Sunday, 27 September, Mancini said: “I do not think Manchester City has been found guilty; on the contrary. It is not a problem that concerns me, but it is not new. The club is not guilty and the double contract is not my problem, it is theirs.”

Manchester City’s legal team maintains that the club acted within the rules and will challenge the verdict, while the Premier League warns that the volume and seriousness of the breaches could still lead to severe repercussions.