Pochettino made the comments after reports that an independent commission had found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The allegations cover the period from 2009 to 2018 and include claims relating to financial reporting, payments to players and managers, UEFA regulations and cooperation with the league’s investigation.
Pochettino, who previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, said the reported findings raised questions about the treatment of clubs that had complied with the rules.
“Whatever punishment they choose, it’s impossible to turn back time. It’s done a lot of damage. 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.”
Pochettino's concerns about fairness
He also questioned how the alleged breaches could have continued under the Premier League’s financial controls.
“Where were the controls? That’s what gets my attention. Where were the controls?” Pochettino said.
Recalling his time at Tottenham, he said the club had been unable to sign players for 18 months while its new stadium was being built.
“I remember building the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and not having the economic possibility of a transfer for 18 months. I think we were the only team in the history of the Premier League with 18 months without a transfer.”
Pochettino questioned whether the financial rules had been applied consistently across the league.
Impact of Manchester City's breaches
“How could those controls have been so strict with us and so much less strict with some others? 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 said.
The alleged breaches relate to the period after Manchester City’s 2008 takeover by Abu Dhabi-based owners, when the club emerged as a dominant force in English football. During the period covered by the charges, City won three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup. The club has since won further league titles and its first Champions League trophy.
Pochettino said any punishment imposed now could not fully reverse the alleged impact on the competition.
“At the end of the day, we went through something where sporting fairness didn’t exist. If it’s true that they broke 114 rules, we’ve lived through a period of deception.”
Manchester City's response to allegations
Manchester City have denied the allegations and maintained their position in the long-running case. The full findings and any punishment have not been finalized and the club is expected to challenge the reported verdict.
Potential sanctions could include financial or sporting penalties, but the outcome remains unresolved.
