Mauricio Pochettino says the Premier League has gone through “a period of deception” if Manchester City are found to have breached financial regulations.
Reports last Friday said an independent tribunal had reached decisions in the case involving Manchester City and the league over 115 charges. Sky Sports News understands the process is now moving towards the appeal stage.
Pochettino, who managed Southampton from 2013 to 2014, Tottenham from 2014 to 2019 and Chelsea in 2023-24, said any wrongdoing would have distorted the way football history is viewed.
Speaking to the Guardian through an interpreter, he said: “At the end of the day, we went through something where sporting fairness didn’t exist, so how do you repair everything that was damaged because of that?
“If it’s true…we’ve lived through a period of deception.”
The Argentine said no sanction would be able to undo the consequences of the alleged breaches.
“Whatever punishment, it’s impossible to turn back time,” he added.
“It’s done a lot of damage. At the end of the day, many clubs followed the rules and some didn’t.”
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated his belief that the club will establish its innocence. Chief executive Ferran Soriano has also told fellow club executives that the legal dispute with the Premier League could take years to reach its conclusion.
Pulis says Stoke’s FA Cup win has left him feeling cheated
Pochettino is not the only manager to voice concern about what a guilty verdict could mean for the period between 2009 and 2018.
Tony Pulis was Stoke City manager when Manchester City beat his side in the 2011 FA Cup final, securing their first major trophy in 35 years.
Writing in his BBC Sport column, Pulis said: “When do we get our FA Cup? That is what all Stoke City fans have been asking me since the news broke on Friday that Manchester City had been found guilty of breaking the majority of the 115 financial rules they have been accused of breaching.
“I thought exactly the same. While the process is far from over because Manchester City are expected to appeal, I have to say this verdict and the whole situation has left a very sour taste in my mouth.”
Pulis added that he did not expect other trophies or titles to be returned, saying a points deduction and a substantial fine appeared more likely.
“But I still feel cheated,” he said. “Whatever happens next, we won’t ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for.”
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand supported Pulis on social media, writing: “Let’s start petition to get Tony Pulis is [sic] FA Cup Winners Medal!”
Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol said Premier League clubs could “seek compensation” if the charges against Manchester City are proven.