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Mancini breaks silence on Man City Premier League charges

Mueez Ajao

– Roberto Mancini has denied any wrongdoing amid allegations of salary irregularities during his time as Manchester City manager and does not expect to be contacted by the Premier League as part of their investigation.

– Last month, City were charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules relating to a period between 2009 and 2018 in addition to a failure to fully comply with inquiries since December 2018.

– The Premier League have questioned whether City provided “full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager” between 2009 and 2013, the period in which Mancini was in charge and delivered City’s first title in 44 years.

Also Read: Premier League charges Man City for breaking numerous financial rules

– According to Der Spiegel, Mancini is said to have at one point earned £1.45 million in a basic salary and £1.75m as a consultant for a team controlled by City owner Sheikh Mansour in Abu Dhabi, which critics have argued could constitute a secret agreement to inflate his salary if not properly accounted for.

– City strongly deny any wrongdoing, with an independent commission now set to examine the evidence.

– Speaking ahead of Italy’s Euro 2024 qualifier against England in Naples, Mancini was asked whether he had been contacted by the Premier League as part of their investigations.

– “No, I haven’t been contacted or called up by anyone and I don’t think anyone will contact me,” he replied. “I have paid my taxes, it is all above board so I don’t think anyone will be in touch.”

– The Azzurri have not played in Naples for a decade and the choice of venue has stoked fears of violence given Napoli fans have been involved in a series of clashes, the latest of which came last week when Eintracht Frankfurt supporters arrived in the city for their Champions League round of 16 tie.

– Around 2,500 England fans are expected here on Thursday, when alcohol will be banned in the area around Stadio Diego Armando Maradona from 7 a.m. until midnight.

– Asked about the prospect of trouble, Mancini said: “I don’t work for the police force if I am quite honest.

– “But it has always been the away fans that have come here and caused problems typically and we have seen that in the Champions League.

– “If people come here and behave correctly there shouldn’t be many issues on that score. We have to worry about what happens on the pitch because football should be a celebration.”

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Italy didn’t deserve to stay out of World Cup – Mancini

Italy coach Roberto Mancini has said that the team did not deserve to stay out of the World Cup.

According to him, it is, however, already targeting FIFA World Cup glory in 2026, as the Azzurri prepare to “suffer” through this year’s tournament after failing to qualify.

The European champions will be the most high-profile side to miss the 2022 tournament in Qatar after slipping to a humiliating play-off defeat to North Macedonia in March.

Italy were also absent from Russia in 2018 following a play-off loss to Sweden, meaning their exile from football’s most storied competition will stretch to a minimum of 12 years.

The Azzurri also suffered group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014, meaning their most recent World Cup knockout tie remains 2006’s final victory over France.

Mancini, however, is determined to end Italy’s World Cup woes when the tournament heads to the U.S., Mexico and Canada in four years’ time.

He believes their failure to reach Qatar was unjust.

“Winning with the national team is the best thing there can be,” he said at an event in Rome.

“Giving Italians such joy is incredible, (but) now we have to wait four years. We will aim to win the next World Cup in America.

“We are working, (but) unfortunately we will suffer until December —– the disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup does not fade.

“It was totally unfair, but the defeats must be faced. We did not deserve to stay out of the World Cup, but unfortunately that’s how it went.”

Asked why he chose to continue as Italy coach following their play-off embarrassment, the former Manchester City boss added: “Honestly, I don’t know. At that moment, I just wanted to turn the page because it went badly.

“But winning the European Championship brings incredible joy. Now we have to wait a few years and then we want to try for those emotions again.”

Italy have since salvaged some pride by winning their UEFA Nations League group, finishing above Hungary, Germany and England to reach next year’s finals.

And Mancini was keen to emphasise the difficulty of that achievement, adding: “It wasn’t easy, the players put everything in.

“England are a danger to win the World Cup, they have an incredible squad and Hungary are a very physical team.”

Italy will contest friendlies against Albania and Austria when elite club football pauses for the World Cup in November.