Rodri says Manchester City will always evade charges
In a press conference in London, Rodri Hernández, former Manchester City midfielder, said that the club had always conveyed the certainty of walking away unscathed despite the 114 charges that the Premier League has imposed on it for breaching financial regulations.
Charges and judicial process
Manchester City has been found guilty of more than a hundred charges, specifically 114 out of 115, by an independent committee that examined compliance with the Premier League's financial regulations. The club was initially found guilty in a first ruling and, after appeals, was acquitted, which has sent shockwaves through the football world.
Rodri and Spain's perspective
Rodri recalled that in 2020 they went through an identical process, “an exactly identical judicial process, although the accusing side was different,” and emphasized that “the club always conveyed the reassurance that we would walk away unscathed because they had done nothing.” He trusts in Manchester City's innocence, a club he knows very well.
Hours before Spain's debut as world double champions in the Nations League against England, the captain assured that the team remains full of motivation. “You feel responsibility, but this team does not stop here, it is hungry for more,” he said, adding that the responsibility of being current champions and the respect of the opponents drive the squad. He believes that facing a great national team like England is the ideal stage to defend those achievements.
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Rodri also praised the presence of several Barcelona players in the national team, describing the situation as “positive.” He noted that “having seven or eight players from the same club helps, especially when the style of play is very similar to that of the national team.” Moreover, he described his current spell as “very exciting,” thanking Barcelona for giving him the opportunity to return to the highest level and lead Spain.
Repercussions and investigations of other clubs
Manchester United has begun to quantify the financial damage it may have suffered because of Manchester City's violations. The investigation reviews seasons such as 2011/12, when United lost the title on goal difference after Sergio Agüero’s goal, the 2017/18 campaign, in which they finished second, and the 2015/16 season, when City’s position prevented United from reaching the Champions League, forcing them to play in the Europa League.
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Other Premier League clubs have also sought legal advice for possible compensation, according to the BBC. It has been mentioned that Omar Berrada, general manager of Old Trafford and former chief operating officer of Manchester City since 2016, oversaw internal assessments before the ruling against City was issued.