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Mauricio Pochettino has questioned the sporting legitimacy of Manchester City’s trophy-laden era, saying the club’s achievements could be viewed differently if allegations of financial breaches are ultimately upheld.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager, who is now head coach of the United States national team, was reacting to reports surrounding the long-running Premier League case involving Manchester City.
City was charged with 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations covering several seasons between 2009 and 2018, alongside allegations relating to the club’s cooperation with the subsequent investigation.
Pochettino said the controversy had raised wider questions about competitive fairness, particularly for clubs that complied with the financial rules while competing against teams accused of breaking them.
“Whatever punishment, it’s impossible to turn back time. It’s done a lot of damage,” Pochettino said.
He added that if the reported findings concerning Manchester City were confirmed, football would have to confront the consequences of what had already happened on the pitch.
“At the end of the day, we went through something where sporting fairness didn’t exist,” he said.
Pochettino described the situation as “a period of deception”, stressing that punishment imposed years after the alleged offences could not completely reverse their sporting consequences.
The Argentine also recalled his time at Tottenham, saying the club had operated under strict financial restrictions while competing for Premier League and Champions League honours.
“Tottenham was fighting for titles with those above us and every year in the top four, getting to the semi-finals of the Champions League without being able to do a transfer for 18 months,” he said.
Pochettino questioned why financial regulations appeared to have been applied differently across clubs.
“They were so strict with us but also so lenient with others. Because of that, that’s why I say, it’s all very strange,” he added.
Manchester City has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains its position in the case.
The Premier League investigation has been ongoing for several years, and any eventual findings or sanctions remain subject to the established legal and appeal processes.
Pochettino’s comments have nevertheless reignited the debate over financial regulation, sporting fairness and whether retrospective punishment can adequately address the competitive consequences of alleged breaches.
