English soccer's regulator insists there will be no political pressure in Man City case

English football regulator chair David Kogan has stated he would resign from his position if any political influence affected potential sanctions against Manchester City. City, owned by the United Arab Emirates, has been found guilty of multiple breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, which could lead to penalties like fines, point deductions, or even expulsion from the top flight.

Kogan, awaiting the outcome of City's appeal, emphasized the regulator's commitment to remaining independent, stating that any form of political interference would lead to his resignation. The allegations against City involve the artificial inflation of revenue by over $1 billion over nearly a decade, which violates fair-play rules.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed concern over losing City's current ownership, but said he would not interfere directly in the process. City's appeal of the guilty verdict, the largest in Premier League history, raises questions about the club's future as it enjoys unprecedented dominance in English soccer.

The Independent Football Regulatory Commission, established last year, will begin issuing club licenses in November. Kogan suggested that the verdict would not impact this process since City's appeal is ongoing. The regulator's report highlights that while some English clubs are financially successful, 94% of clubs across the pyramid are loss-making, with over a quarter unable to survive more than 30 days without owner funding.

A major issue identified is the excessive spending by clubs to compete with rivals, despite many teams not having sustainable financial practices. The regulator is proposing to spread solidarity payments more evenly among teams to help improve financial risk management.