Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says the Premier League "lived through a period of deception" if Manchester City breached financial rules.
Reports last Friday said an independent tribunal has reached decisions in Manchester City's 115-charge case between the league and the club, and Sky Sports News understands the process is moving to the appeal stage.
Pochettino, who was in charge of Spurs from 2014 to 2019 and Chelsea in 2023-24, having previously managed Southampton from 2013 to 2014, said it had warped the view of history.
Pochettino told the Guardian, through an interpreter: "At the end of the day, we went through something where sporting fairness didn't exist, so how do you repair everything that was damaged because of that?
"If it's true…we've lived through a period of deception."
Pochettino said no punishment could make up for the "damage" that had been caused.
"Whatever punishment, it's impossible to turn back time," he added.
"It's done a lot of damage. At the end of the day, many clubs followed the rules and some didn't."
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak reaffirmed his belief that the club will prove their innocence in the case, while chief executive Ferran Soriano told a meeting of fellow club chiefs that their legal fight with the Premier League could take years to conclude.
Pulis: I feel cheated
Pochettino is not the only manager saddened by the prospect of the charges being proven and the impact that would have had on football between 2009 and 2018.
Tony Pulis was managing Stoke City when Manchester City beat them in the 2011 FA Cup final to win their first major trophy in 35 years.
"When do we get our FA Cup?" wrote Pulis in his BBC Sport column. "That is what all Stoke City fans have been asking me since the news broke on Friday that Manchester City had been found guilty of breaking the majority of the 115 financial rules they have been accused of breaching.
"I thought exactly the same. While the process is far from over because Manchester City are expected to appeal, I have to say this verdict and the whole situation has left a very sour taste in my mouth."
Pulis continued: "I don't seriously believe any other trophies and titles will be handed back over either. A points deduction and a massive fine feels far more likely.
"But I still feel cheated. Whatever happens next, we won't ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for."
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand backed Pulis, posting: "Let's start petition to get Tony Pulis is [sic] FA Cup Winners Medal!"
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol believes Premier League clubs could "seek compensation" should the charges be proven.
Aquila_King
0
guys even if city loses the appeal there is no way they are taking the trophies away, if that is to be the case then any game played with foul officiating will be replayed or points given to the affected. but no they will come and apologize and that's all. points deduction is a realistic outcome though
kosdlmnpsz
1
Man Cheaty, wiped from history. Coming to a cinema near you.
funny joke
couabitu
0
Manchester City must be punished for not playing by the rules.
Cry more hater it will never go anywhere trust me
couabitu
0
What changed now my little 'plastic' friend is the club has been found 'Guilty' of 114 charges out of 115. 😂😂😂😂 Try to understand when reading not just repeating the words, there's usually valuable information to be gleaned from the content.
Cry more hater it will never go anywhere trust me😅
Faaadiluyz
0
he never made it anywhere behind pep at season end... should not complain
Bengudmman
0
Manchester City must be punished for not playing by the rules.
Jimadlopsy
0
PSR Rules were created to keep the top clubs at the top and the bottom clubs at the bottom. What sense does it make to say that clubs that win trophies and qualify for Europe should be allowed to spend more on players than bottom teams. It’s an antiquated system that needs an overhaul. All City did was bend the already biased rules a bit. It’s the epl rules committee that should be relegated. Not Man City.
Yeah, all 114 of them. Just a mistake right? You sound young.
vecabcky
2
Poch no one wants your opinion,please be quiet .
Jimadlopsy
0
Man Cheaty, wiped from history. Coming to a cinema near you.
Jimadlopsy
0
You’re all corrupted…all this years what changed now!!🙄🙄EPL is corrupted as well
What changed now my little 'plastic' friend is the club has been found 'Guilty' of 114 charges out of 115. 😂😂😂😂 Try to understand when reading not just repeating the words, there's usually valuable information to be gleaned from the content.
Wamiklmsty
1
PSR Rules were created to keep the top clubs at the top and the bottom clubs at the bottom. What sense does it make to say that clubs that win trophies and qualify for Europe should be allowed to spend more on players than bottom teams. It’s an antiquated system that needs an overhaul. All City did was bend the already biased rules a bit. It’s the epl rules committee that should be relegated. Not Man City.
Litelntz
0
deception how comes and who deceived who the epl deceived yall to keep their mafia 3z at the top
pozbirsty
0
You’re all corrupted…all this years what changed now!!🙄🙄EPL is corrupted as well
For sure
Tetaceiprz
0
Do not support city either your club or not,this Arab people don’t respect anyone cause of their oil money,they just pump the money without knowing the results Let them face the consequences of their bad actions,they are destroying the Epl,this is not Saudi league that they pump more money 💰 Look at Al Hilla and Al Nasar,they buy the players without thinking
boabdopr
1
those on financial rules are more corrupt why there were silent all the years
MANCITYTHECHAMPIONS
6
🤣 very funny suddenly all these Ex premier league managers are talking about these Charges, they were paid at their previous clubs to win trophies, most of them failed during their time at their clubs, they are now hiding being these so called 115 charges against City making it look like is because of these 115 charges caused them that is why they couldn’t win trophies when they were managers at these clubs. What does these charges got to do with on the field of play decisions? Just agree that Pep outplayed you guys, City dominated during these period because they were more better than your players. The issue here is off the field issues, these rivals clubs who couldn’t defeat City to win the trophies are suddenly using this so called 115 charges to consoles themselves from not winning 😊. If people fail in life they are always looking for excuses and escape routes to justify the reasons why they failed. See I just laugh 😆
Jeudkmnopy
3
You’re all corrupted…all this years what changed now!!🙄🙄EPL is corrupted as well
Zueelmpr
0
How could the financial breaches only find out after so many years? The only answer is EPL is corrupted as well.
An hacker from Portugal called Pinto was behind it and he has exposed few fotba club
WNMessi1989
3
How could the financial breaches only find out after so many years? The only answer is EPL is corrupted as well.