Arteta stood firm on Man City charges as guilty verdict ends eight-year saga

Manchester City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 financial charges brought against them by the Premier League, with violations covering the period between 2009 and 2018. The club now awaits confirmation of its sanction, which could range from a points deduction to expulsion from the top flight. City vehemently denies any wrongdoing and is widely expected to appeal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spent three years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City between 2016 and 2019, placing him at the club during part of the period under scrutiny. When the Premier League first confirmed the charges in 2023, Arteta was asked directly whether he had witnessed any misconduct during his time there.

“I’m not going to make any comment on that, I’m sorry,” Arteta said, before being pressed specifically on his personal awareness of potential wrongdoing. His answer was a single word: “No.”

Twelve months later, with the case still unresolved, Arteta maintained the same measured distance when questioned again.

“That’s something for the authorities to manage. It’s not for us,” he said. “If they’re playing that means they can play and they are entitled to play. That’s it.”

City responded to the guilty verdict with a statement insisting the process is far from over. “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” the club said. “Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023. The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

The scale of the charges — 115 in total, covering more than a decade of alleged financial rule-breaking — makes this one of the most significant disciplinary cases in English football history. The precise sanction will be determined in the next phase of proceedings, and City’s anticipated appeal means a final resolution could still be some way off.