Former Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany, questioned the motives of the club’s critics after the reigning champions were hit with more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
Premier League made the bombshell announcement regarding an unprecedented array of charges relating to a period between 2009 and 2018, with potential punishments if the club is found guilty ranging from fines to relegation.
Vincent Kompany, who won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups during an 11-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, would not comment directly on the charges laid at his former employers’ doors, insisting he had not had time to get into it while preparing for Burnley’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Ipswich.
Not Fit To Point Fingers
But, asked if anything could tarnish his memories of what he and his former team-mates achieved at City, the Burnley boss said: “I kind of look at it and sometimes roll my eyes a little bit.
“No doubt there’s a lot of righteousness in the world to come and tell you what you’ve done wrong. And then, if everybody looks at themselves, I think the football industry in general is not one that can afford to point the finger too many times.
“I think all of you will have a little bit of a smile on your face to know what the football industry is about. I’m very sceptical when people start pointing fingers.
“Do the best for yourself and let’s try and improve all the time, But I’m a little bit sceptical when the fingers get pointed easily.”
Vincent Kompany said he had not listened or read about the specifics of the case as he is fully focused on Burnley, who will now change attention back to their bid to earn automatic promotion from the Championship.
“The fixtures actually help me because I’ve had no time to look into it or feel emotionally connected to what’s happening,” Kompany said.
Manchester City Are Surprised
Many Premier League clubs want Manchester City to be kicked out of the division if they are found guilty of breaking rules over nine seasons.
City said that they were “surprised” to have been charged by the Premier League with 101 alleged breaches of financial rules.
The Premier League’s most severe punishment in these circumstances would be to expel City and it has been reported that the English Football League would be under no obligation to accept them.
There is a feeling that taking away City’s titles retrospectively would be meaningless and cause confusion, but a fine is also not likely to have much of an effect.
The clubs who had been pressing hardest for action were some other members of the so-called ‘big six’ – which includes Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Overturned Ban
There will not be much sympathy for City, who have won the Premier League six times in the last 11 years, if they are found guilty.
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In 2020, Man City had a two-year ban from European football overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), after being handed a suspension by UEFA’s club financial control body (CFCB) in February 2020 for “serious breaches” of club licensing and financial fair play regulations.
The fourth set of alleged breaches relates to the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules in seasons 2015-16 to 2017-18 inclusive.
Finally, the club are alleged to have breached league rules requiring member clubs to co-operate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations, from December 2018 to date.
