David Kogan, chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), says he would resign rather than accept political interference in the case involving Manchester City.
Kogan has the authority to assess whether club owners and executives are suitable to hold their positions. If an independent commission’s findings that Manchester City breached Premier League financial rules are upheld, the IFR could potentially force a sale of the club.
Manchester City deny the allegations and have appealed.
The independent commission found the club had broken rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), the private investment company belonging to United Arab Emirates vice-president and deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour, is alleged to have inflated the value of commercial agreements as part of a “disguised funding scheme” worth £830m.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was criticised last month after saying he would be “really concerned” if the case resulted in Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners selling the club.
“They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is,” he said.
Asked about those comments, Kogan told BBC Sport: “The Prime Minister is entirely entitled to make his own observations on anything.
“We are independent. That is in the name. I am the chairman of the Independent Football Regulator and independence absolutely runs through everything we’re doing.
“And no politician has tried to influence and would try to influence anything we do on that.”
When asked what he would do if political pressure was applied, Kogan replied: “I would resign.”
Burnham initially made his comments to the BBC and later denied that his response had “downplayed the seriousness of the findings”. However, some Premier League clubs were described as “astonished” by his position, with sources telling BBC Sport they were “concerned” about political interference in the appeal process.
Burnham’s former role as mayor of Greater Manchester has also prompted questions about his relationship with Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi ownership. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for details of meetings between the prime minister and senior club figures to be published, and the government released them on Monday.
Speaking at the launch of the IFR’s State of the Game report, Kogan said the regulator would follow its statutory process regardless of political comments.
“I am going to stand by the probity of the organisation that I lead,” he added, after Shadow Culture Minister Louie French raised concerns about the IFR’s ability to assess the case impartially. Kogan’s appointment was previously examined by the Commissioner for Public Appointments because of his historic links to the Labour Party, including donations to the leadership campaigns of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and culture secretary Lisa Nandy.
Sanctions decision could take months
An independent panel will hold a sanctions hearing to determine Manchester City’s punishment, although it could take months to arrange. The club can appeal both the findings and any sanction, prolonging uncertainty for the Premier League.
Possible penalties range from a substantial fine and points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League.
Kogan said it was “very important” for the case to be resolved quickly. He said the IFR would consider its own investigation and statutory powers if Manchester City were found guilty on appeal.
Those powers cover owners, directors and senior executives, including whether they can run a club safely, coherently and with probity. Kogan declined to say whether the IFR could refuse Manchester City a licence when it begins issuing them next month.
He said the case did not specifically raise wider questions about state ownership because the IFR had no power to prevent it and could not apply a general view of ownership to one club.
The commission’s 42-day hearing in 2024 produced the verdict announced last month. Manchester City were found guilty of every charge except one concerning non-cooperation with the Premier League investigation. Its report said several important club witnesses had given false evidence and that some had knowingly provided “untrue and dishonest evidence”.
