Carrick and Iraola urge swift resolution to Manchester City financial case

Michael Carrick and Andoni Iraola have called for a swift resolution to Manchester City's financial rules case, while former City captain Vincent Kompany has defended his pride in the team's achievements. The managers' comments were reported by the Guardian as City pursue an appeal against the findings of an independent commission.

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According to the report, City were found guilty of breaches covering a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. The club continue to maintain their innocence and have challenged the verdict. The appeal remains unresolved, a qualification acknowledged by managers discussing both the implications of the ruling and their own connections to City's success.

Manchester United manager Carrick said receiving a winner's medal retrospectively could not recreate the emotion of winning at the time. He was a United player when City secured the 2011-12 Premier League title on goal difference after Sergio Aguero's late winner on the final day. Carrick said the case had affected him personally, but added that he did not know how the ongoing process would conclude and wanted it settled quickly for everyone's benefit.

Liverpool head coach Iraola also urged a prompt conclusion, saying uncertainty was harmful and that a definitive outcome was needed. He acknowledged the anger felt by Liverpool supporters but declined to condemn City while the process continued. Iraola said individual fans would form their own views and that his responsibility remained preparing his team and delivering a strong performance on the pitch.

Kompany, now Bayern Munich's manager, took a different emphasis when discussing the verdict. The former defender said he remained proud of what City had achieved on the field during his 11 years at the club. He won four Premier League titles during a spell running from 2008 to 2019. Kompany said players were not involved in the off-field matters and that his current attention was on preparing Bayern for their matches.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at City before moving to Arsenal in December 2019, said his conscience was clear. He declined to discuss possible punishment and said he would explain his feelings more fully once the case was resolved. For now, City's appeal leaves the commission's findings contested by the club.