Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, has claimed that several clubs have inflated their budgets to comply with financial regulations while expressing sympathy over the scrutiny surrounding Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s achievements.
Emery spoke after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules, with the club subsequently appealing the findings.
The commission’s verdict has placed City’s finances and some of the club’s achievements under renewed scrutiny, while the Premier League champions have maintained their innocence and challenged the ruling.
Discussing the situation, Emery said financial regulations had forced clubs to find ways to balance their spending and revenues, while suggesting that budget inflation was not limited to Manchester City.
“It’s an issue that was already known. We all have our restrictions and we have to sell players to comply – so we have to figure out how to draw up contracts with new people. Financial fair play seeks a balance so that what you generate is spent and there isn’t inflation. But yes many other clubs have inflated their budgets and now it’s coming to light. I feel sorry about it, given how that team played. Under Guardiola, there were times when they were unbeatable.”
Guardiola left Manchester City this summer after a highly successful spell in charge, during which he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Asked what punishment City should face following the commission’s findings, Emery declined to offer an opinion, leaving the matter to the relevant authorities.
“That is something for the courts and the authorities to decide.”
City have appealed the commission’s verdict, insisting that it contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact” and maintaining that the club is innocent of the accusations.
Despite the off-field legal proceedings, City have made a perfect start to the new Premier League campaign, winning all five matches to sit top of the table with 15 points, three ahead of Arsenal.
