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| Photo Credit — Roberto Mancini |
Roberto Mancini has publicly distanced himself from long-standing allegations involving a so-called “double contract” during his time as Manchester City manager. Speaking ahead of Italy’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Turkey, the current Italy coach said the matter does not concern him, even as media reports emerged that an independent commission had found Manchester City guilty of the vast majority of the Premier League’s 115 financial charges.
The charges, first brought in February 2023 after a multi-year investigation, covered alleged breaches spanning the 2009–10 to 2017–18 seasons. Among them were 14 counts related to the club’s failure to provide accurate details of player and manager payments. Mancini’s three-and-a-half-year spell at the Etihad (December 2009 to May 2013) fell squarely within that window. During that period he guided City to the 2011 FA Cup and their first top-flight league title in 44 years in 2012.
Asked about the reports at a news conference in Turkey, Mancini responded: “Found guilty of what? It’s not an issue that concerns me. It’s nothing new because this matter has been discussed for the last four or five years. Manchester City has not been found guilty, and the alleged double contract is not my concern. It’s their issue, not mine.”
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The “double contract” references stem from 2018 reporting by German outlet Der Spiegel, based on Football Leaks documents. Those reports alleged that a significant portion of Mancini’s compensation was paid through a consultancy arrangement with Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira (also linked to City’s ownership). According to the claims, the consultancy payments exceeded his basic managerial salary from City (excluding bonuses). City has long denied wrongdoing across the broader case.
On Friday 25 September 2026, multiple reports (including from The Athletic) stated that the independent commission had found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges. No sanctions have been announced. The Premier League has declined to comment, citing the confidential nature of the process. Manchester City has maintained that “significant elements” of the process remain outstanding and that the matter is still ongoing, while reiterating its confidence in its position and expectation of a fair process.
Other Premier League clubs have reportedly sought legal advice regarding potential compensation claims following the reported findings. The case itself originated from a four-year Premier League investigation that began after the 2018 Der Spiegel revelations. The formal charges were referred to an independent commission in February 2023; closed-door hearings ran for roughly 10–12 weeks starting in September 2024.
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Mancini’s comments underscore how former staff often seek to separate themselves from institutional investigations. While the alleged remuneration arrangements formed part of the charges relating to manager payments, the bulk of the case centres on financial reporting, sponsorship arrangements, Profitability and Sustainability Rules, UEFA Financial Fair Play compliance, and cooperation with investigators.
As the process continues — with an expected appeal from City and a later sanctions phase if liability stands — attention will turn to possible punishments (ranging from fines to points deductions or more severe measures) and any knock-on effects for the wider Premier League. Official confirmation and full details from the commission remain pending.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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