'Dragged through the mud' - Liverpool legend questions Premier League integrity amid Man City 115 charges

Didi Hamann has questioned the integrity of the Premier League amid the ongoing case against Man City for allegedly breaching the English top-flight’s financial rules.

The reigning Premier League champions face 115 charges for alleged financial irregularity over a nine-year period between the seasons of 2009/10 and 2017/18. They were charged in February 2023 following a four-year investigation, with the hearing scheduled to take place later this year.

Everton (twice) and Nottingham Forest were both handed points deductions by the Premier League this season after being found guilty of breaching profit and sustainability rules, while Leicester City are expected to be handed a similar punishment next season. However, City’s own case is yet to be heard with the wait causing frustration across English football - including at the Etihad.

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Hamann is a Liverpool legend, having won the Champions League and a cup treble with the Reds during his seven years at the club. However, he spent three seasons with Man City after leaving Anfield, making 71 appearances and scoring two goals.

City have maintained their innocence throughout the process, with Hamann concerned that it is dragging the Premier League’s integrity ‘through the mud’.

And despite his City allegiances, the former Liverpool star has called for the case to be resolved as quickly as possible, with his former club punished accordingly if found guilty.

“The one thing that is very clear in this ongoing case against Manchester City is that it needs to be resolved and it needs to be resolved quickly for the integrity of the Premier League,” he told Prime Casino.

“When there are 115 charges of rule breaking, you need to sort things out. There were two clubs last season in Everton and Nottingham Forest who had points taken off them.

“There are several clubs who are close to or will be in breach of the financial rules next season; five clubs that have to sell players. Leicester are one of them, and they will be given a points deduction.

“I don’t think it’s right that clubs have been punished for fewer charges while Manchester City have been allowed to delay things. The Premier League needs to sort this out quickly because the longer the Manchester City case drags on, the longer the competition’s integrity is dragged through the mud.

“Last season, with the points deductions and appeals process, there were too many unknown quantities. Clubs didn’t know whether they were coming or going. That’s a situation that isn’t sustainable.

“I’m not saying whether Manchester City are guilty or not. I don't know. If City are found guilty, there will be punishment, but obviously that's all to be determined. One way or another, the Premier League must sort it out because the longer it drags on, the more it damages the reputation of the competition.”