Mauricio Pochettino calls Premier League financial verdict a period of deception

Pochettino reacts to guilty verdict

The US men's national team coach said fans lived through a period of deception because of the club's rule breaches. He questioned where the controls were during that time and noted that many clubs followed the rules while others did not. Pochettino stated that whatever punishment is chosen, it is impossible to turn back time.

Details on the charges

An independent panel found Manchester City guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018. The charges also relate to a failure to cooperate with investigations from December 2018 to February 2023. Sanctions have not yet been announced, though the club plans to appeal against the decision.

Impact on sporting history

Pochettino argued that sporting fairness did not exist during the years when City operated under lenient financial rules. He pointed to his own experience at Tottenham, where the club could not make transfers for 18 months while building a new stadium. He believes this situation warped the view of history and damaged the integrity of the competition.