FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday has denied allegations that he helped Manchester City avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions.
According to German magazine Der Spiegel the allegations based on documents from a football leak investigations, reporting that he cut secret deals with City and PSG in 2014 while he was general secretary of UEFA to avoid heavy penalties for breaching FFP regulations.
“We have been doing our own work to protect the football system and the football field within the European club. We will work according to the information at the time. If there is new news, I firmly believe that Europe Football Association will pay attention to it.” Infantino said.
“All clubs are treated fairly, and our goal is not to kill them, but to help them become healthier and more sustainable.
“At that time, I met with representatives of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs. The purpose was to find a solution, but the final decision was decided by the Arbitration Commission, not me. I could not change the course of the incident. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have not been fined 20 million euros.” Infantino added.
City are now under the threat of sanctions both domestically and from UEFA. The less likely option is that UEFA could ban City from playing in the Champions League. The more likely is that they could face transfer ban.
“We will not be providing any comment on out of text materials purported to have been hacked or stolen from City Football Group and Manchester City personnel and associated people. The attempt to damage the club’s reputation is organised and clear.” City said.
Manchester City are now under the threat of sanctions both domestically and from UEFA due to FFP regulations. (Source:www.mirror.co.uk)
FIFA, meanwhile, it believes the issues pointed to changes made by football’s governing body after 2015’s corruption scandal to clean itself up, and it was added that some of those who are not happy.
“Despite the fact that we answered the questions posed to us in a straightforward and honest manner, certain media decided to ignore most of our answers and to distort both the facts and the truth in a deliberate attempt to discredit FIFA and to mislead their readers. This is evident.” FIFA said in a statement.
“It seems obvious from the reporting carried out in some media outlets that there is only one particular aim; an attempt to undermine the new leadership of FIFA and, in particular, the President, Gianni Infantino, and the Secretary General, Fatma Samoura.” FIFA added.
