Mauricio Pochettino has questioned the fairness of English football after Manchester City were reportedly found guilty of 114 of 115 alleged Premier League financial-rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager asked a simple question: “Where were the controls?”
Pochettino said he found it particularly difficult to understand how Tottenham faced strict financial restrictions during his time at the club, while City allegedly breached numerous regulations.
“Many clubs followed the rules and some didn’t,” Pochettino said, adding that whatever punishment is imposed, “it’s impossible to turn back time.”
He also argued that the issue goes beyond any eventual fine or points deduction because the alleged breaches could have affected the competitive environment in which clubs were operating.
“If it’s true all of the 114 rules that were broken, we’ve lived through a period of deception,” Pochettino said.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the verdict. The Premier League process therefore remains subject to further legal proceedings.
Pochettino’s comments are particularly notable because Tottenham finished as Premier League runners-up in 2016/17, while Chelsea who were later punished for separate financial-rule breaches won the title that season. Pochettino has previously argued that Tottenham should have been awarded that title if Chelsea’s breaches are taken into account.