English Football Regulator Threatens Resignation Over Political Pressure on Man City Case
IFR chair David Kogan says he will quit if politicians interfere with the Manchester City financial rules investigation.
KEY POINTS
- IFR chair David Kogan pledges resignation if political interference occurs in Man City case
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham criticized for comments supporting Abu Dhabi owners
- Independent commission found City breached financial rules 2009-2018 involving £830m
- Regulator has power to force club sale if findings upheld
- Premier League clubs reportedly concerned about political pressure on appeal process
David Kogan, chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), stated he would resign if subjected to political pressure regarding the Manchester City case. The regulator holds authority to assess club ownership suitability and could force a sale if an independent commission's findings of financial rule breaches are upheld.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced criticism last month for expressing concern that the scandal might lead to the club's Abu Dhabi owners selling the team. Burnham praised the owners as huge partners in building modern Manchester and the club's global status.
“I would resign.”
Kogan responded that while the Prime Minister is entitled to his views, the IFR's independence is absolute and no politician has attempted to influence its work. An independent commission found City broke Premier League rules over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.
The commission alleged Abu Dhabi United Group, owned by Sheikh Mansour, inflated commercial deals by £830 million as part of a disguised funding scheme. Manchester City maintains its innocence and has appealed the findings. Some Premier League clubs reportedly expressed astonishment at Burnham's stance, raising concerns about political interference in the appeal process.
2 more sources below
TOPICS
COMMENTS (0)
No comments yet. Be the first.
RELATED STORIES
Colombia removes over 30 artworks from National Museum amid culture war
The Culture Ministry ordered the removal of works on LGBTIQ+, feminism, the Patriotic Union, and the Peace Agreement from Bogotá's National Museum.
Flávio Bolsonaro Paid $107,000 to AI Election Manipulation Firm, Documents Show
Documents reveal Flávio Bolsonaro and his party paid Elytron for a clandestine AI system designed to manipulate voters through deepfakes and fake accounts.
Senate Approves PEC to End 6x1 Work Scale, Cutting Weekly Hours to 40
The constitutional amendment guarantees two paid rest days and affects over 2.5 million workers in Paraná alone.
- Police watchdog clears officers in August 2025 Prince George death
- Florida Paid Lawyers $800/Hour to Block Hope Florida Grand Jury Report
- Turkey's 2027 Budget: Expenditures Projected at 27.276 Trillion Lira
- Israeli settlers attack Washington Post photographer during West Bank olive harvest
- Carney urges Albertans to reject separation ahead of Oct. 19 referendum
This page was compiled with AI assistance from the outlets named above and passed an automated language check before publication. Montegre has no reporters of its own; the byline names the outlets the story was compiled from. Method and editorial standards