The president of the English football regulatory body, David Kogan, has announced that he will resign from his position if there is any political interference in the sanctioning process against Manchester City. Kogan explained that the club has been found guilty by the Premier League of 114 breaches of financial rules committed between 2009 and 2018, and that possible penalties include high fines, the deduction of points or even expulsion from the top flight of English football. In statements to the press, Kogan stated that “any type of political interference in our way of operating will result in my resignation from office, and I maintain that position with complete firmness.” Furthermore, he assured that he has not received nor has he received any political pressure in the past nor does he expect to receive it in the future.
Kogan's statement comes after the intervention of the British Prime Minister and former mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, who expressed his "great concern" at the possibility of City's current owners, a sovereign wealth fund from the United Arab Emirates, leaving the club. The Emirates not only own the team but are also a major investor in the UK, which has raised concerns about possible links between the government and the club. The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has the authority to force owners to sell the club and can refuse an operating license if they are deemed not to meet the appropriate requirements.
The IFR, created last year by the British government, is tasked with setting governance standards in English football and granting operating licenses to clubs. This licensing process will begin in November and will be crucial in determining the future of Manchester City. If the club does not meet the established criteria, it could lose its license and, consequently, its participation in the Premier League. The situation also highlights growing concerns about the influence of foreign owners on English football and the need for stricter oversight by sporting authorities.
Kogan concluded his speech by underlining that the independence of the body is essential to ensure that sanctions are imposed fairly and without external interference. "We have received absolutely no political pressure, neither in this nor in any other matter. And I do not expect to receive it in the future either," he added. With the threat of resignation in the air and a license review imminent, Manchester City face a period of uncertainty as the Premier League and the IFR prepare their final decisions. The next step will be the licensing process in November, which will determine whether the club will be able to continue competing in the top flight of English football or whether it will be forced to hand over ownership to new owners who meet regulatory requirements.