Carrick and Iraola call for clarity as Manchester City appeal financial verdict

Michael Carrick and Andoni Iraola have called for Manchester City's financial-rules case to be resolved quickly, while acknowledging that the club's appeal remains ongoing. In comments reported by the Guardian on Friday, the Manchester United and Liverpool managers addressed the uncertainty following an independent commission's ruling against City. The club continues to deny wrongdoing and is challenging the verdict.

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According to the Guardian, the commission ruled last week that City had breached more than 100 Premier League financial regulations. Its reporting described breaches covering the period from 2009 to 2018. The managers' responses did not establish what punishment would follow or whether the appeal would succeed. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also stressed that the proceedings remained unresolved and declined to offer a judgment while the challenge was under way.

Carrick spoke about the personal impact of the case and the limits of any retrospective recognition. He was in the United squad that finished behind City on goal difference in 2011-12, when Sergio Agüero's late winner decided the title on the final day. Carrick said the emotions experienced at the moment of winning or losing could not be recovered afterwards, and argued that an early resolution would benefit everyone involved.

Iraola similarly said the uncertainty was unhelpful, but recognised that those involved had to wait for the process to conclude. The Liverpool manager declined to assess the commission's work, explaining that he had not studied the case as thoroughly as its members. He expected his players to concentrate on their responsibilities on the pitch, even if they held personal views about the proceedings.

Former City captain Vincent Kompany, now Bayern Munich's manager, said he remained proud of what he and his teammates achieved during his 11 years at the club. He won four Premier League titles during his spell from 2008 to 2019. Kompany distinguished his playing contribution from off-field matters and said his attention was on preparing Bayern for their matches.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi also emphasised his current coaching duties. With Spurs bottom of the table, he said his priority was his own players and club rather than City's case. He expressed support for respecting the rules while leaving decisions on the proceedings to those responsible for making them.