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Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed sadness following reports that Manchester City have been found guilty of breaching financial regulations, saying that if true, it confirms “a period of deception” in the sport.
On Friday, news broke that an independent panel had found City guilty of all but one of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
City, who deny any wrongdoing, could face penalties ranging from fines and points deductions to relegation.
“Whatever punishment (they choose), it’s impossible to turn back time. It’s done a lot of damage,” Pochettino, now coach of the US men’s team, told reporters on Monday.
“At the end of the day many clubs followed the rules and some didn’t… What are they going to do? An economic punishment? Docking points? It’s really hard. It’s sad.
“At the end of the day, we went through something where sporting fairness didn’t exist… If it’s true all of the 114 rules that were broken, we’ve lived through a period of deception.”
Earlier this month, Pochettino suggested Chelsea, whom he managed for the 2023-24 season, should be stripped of their 2016-17 Premier League title and for it to be awarded to Tottenham following the Stamford Bridge club’s record fine for rule breaches this year.
The Argentine manager pointed to Tottenham’s total lack of transfer activity during a period under his leadership, when constrained by building their new stadium.
“I think we were the only team in the history of the Premier League with 18 months without (making a transfer),” he added.
“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.”
Pochettino also managed Southampton for one season in the Premier League back in 2013-14 before moving to Tottenham. During his time in north London he led Spurs a second-placed Premier League finish in 2017 and then the Champions League final in 2019.
However, he was sacked in November 2019 and replaced by Jose Mourinho after a poor start to the 2019-20 season.
Manchester City did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment outside standard business hours.
