MANCHESTER — Roberto Mancini says an alleged "double contract" from his time as Manchester City manager is "not my concern" after an independent panel found the club guilty of the majority of the 115 financial charges brought by the Premier League. The charges included 14 instances of failing to provide accurate details for player and manager payments from 2009-10 to 2017-18, a period that covered Mancini's tenure from December 2009 until May 2013, when he won the FA Cup in 2011 and the club's first top-flight title for 44 years in 2012.
Mancini, now Italy manager, was asked about the allegations relating to his remuneration during a news conference before Monday's Nations League game against Turkey. "Found guilty of what?" he said. "It's not an issue that concerns me. It's nothing new because this matter has been discussed for the last four or five years. Manchester City has not been found guilty, and the alleged double contract is not my concern. It's their issue, not mine."
The allegation centers on reporting by German newspaper Der Spiegel, which previously accused City of paying a "significant portion" of Mancini's compensation "by way of a fictitious consultancy contract." It alleged he was paid more by City for his role as a consultant to Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira than he received as City manager, excluding bonuses and incentives. On Friday it emerged the independent panel had found City guilty of all but one count, although sanctions have yet to be determined.
The Premier League declined to comment, while City said in a statement that the "Premier League process remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality." The club added: "The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence." Other Premier League clubs are believed to have been informed about the decision and have sought legal advice over possible compensation claims.
City were charged with more than 100 breaches of the Premier League's financial rules following a four-year investigation in February 2023 and were referred to an independent commission. A behind-closed-doors hearing began in September 2024 and ran for about 12 weeks. The ruling and next steps follow Man City 115 charges case moves to appeal, could last years as the process enters its sanctions phase.