Zhipan Sport

Man City rule breaches not my concern - Mancini

Sep 28, 05:42 PM

Roberto Mancini says an alleged "double contract" during his time as Manchester City manager is "not my concern".

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has responded to allegations of a "double contract" during his time at the club, stating firmly that the matter is "not my concern". His comments have thrust the spotlight back onto the financial misconduct allegations that have shadowed the Premier League champions for years, raising fresh questions about the club's rise to dominance. Mancini managed City from 2009 to 2013, becoming the first manager to truly deliver success after the club's takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group. In the 2011-12 season, he guided City to the Premier League title, their first top-flight crown in 44 years, sealed by Sergio Aguero's iconic last-gasp goal against Queens Park Rangers. Yet behind that glory, the club's financial dealings have long been a subject of scrutiny. A "double contract" typically refers to an arrangement in which a club signs two agreements with a player or manager: one for official registration and reporting, and another that channels additional payments through third parties or offshore entities, thereby circumventing Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Mancini is alleged to have been involved in such a scheme during his tenure, though the details have not been officially confirmed. Mancini himself has remained dismissive, insisting that such matters fell outside his remit. The allegations against City extend far beyond this single issue. The Premier League has charged the club with more than 100 breaches of financial rules, including providing inaccurate financial information and failing to cooperate with investigations. These charges span over a decade, covering the entire period of City's transformation from mid-table outfit to domestic powerhouse. If upheld, the club could face severe sanctions, including points deductions, hefty fines, or even relegation, which would dramatically reshape the English top flight. Mancini's response has drawn attention because, as the central figure of that golden era, his stance could influence public perception of the case. By distancing himself from the controversy, he may be exercising legal caution, or it may simply reflect that the arrangements were driven by club executives rather than the manager himself. Either way, his remarks add another layer to the ongoing saga. More broadly, the City case reflects the deeper tensions of modern football's commercialisation. On one hand, the influx of capital has raised the competitiveness and entertainment value of the league; on the other, ensuring fair competition within the rules has become a pressing challenge for leagues and regulators alike. City is not the only club to face such questions, but its scale and success make the investigation particularly high-profile. The investigation into City is ongoing, and the final outcome remains uncertain. Mancini's "not my concern" may prove to be a minor footnote in a much longer battle, but it serves as a reminder that glory and controversy often go hand in hand in football. For fans, what happens on the pitch may matter more than what is recorded in the boardroom. Yet when rules and capital collide, no one can truly remain on the sidelines.