Tottenham Hostspur’s boss Jose Mourinho calls for the end of Financial Fair Play “circus” after Manchester City escaped a European ban. The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday overturned the ban placed by European footballing body on Manchester City following serious breaches of Financial Fair Play. Both Mourinho and Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp have raised questions on the clarity of UEFA rules.
“Consistency I like, clarity… I don’t like doubts,” said Mourinho.
“that is the only thing that disturbs. My opinion about FFP doesn’t change, like my opinion on VAR. When I said a few years ago I like the concept, I like the concept. What I don’t like is the interpretation of it, the people with the tools they have at their disposal. And Financial Fair Play is the same thing. When I say it should finish, it is not because I don not agree with the basic principle. It is because I don’t agree with the circus.”
After the quashing of UEFA verdict by CAS, City who finished second in EPL will be able to participate in the prestigious European tourney in the upcoming season after already qualifying for the event.
Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared The Sky Blues of “disgusting equity funds as sponsorship contributions” and reduced the their fine from €30mn to €10mn. However, the court also noted that City did “fail to cooperate with UEFA authorities”.
The Citizens’ boss Pep Guardiola now says his club owes an apology from those who criticized the club and accused them of “cheating and lying”.
“We were exonerated for something we were accused of all the time,” said the unapologetic manager on Tuesday.
“I don’t’ want to apologize for anything. I am sorry guys. Manchester City don’t have to apologize because three independent judges decided we have done everything properly. It is clear – more than clear.”
City owned by Sheikh Mansour since 2008 was previously slapped with a £49mn in 2014 for not complying with UEFA regulations. The big gun managers Klopp and Mourinho have though ceased to comment on City’s conduct but have called for the application of UEFA’s Financial Player rules in letter and spirit.
“I don’t’ want them to lose money, it is just that if there are rules, then I think that we al stick to it and not only some,” said Klopp.
“If you say, “come on, forget it, we don’t have to look at what someone is spending’ then there will be people with a lot of money who will be very influential. There are some rules and we should try to stick to it.”
