Jamie Carragher has insisted the investigation into Manchester City’s Premier League charges must be resolved quickly and should not be allowed to drag on for the suggested timeframe of between two and four years.

Carragher questioned why City are allegedly happy to ‘kick the can down the road’ on their alleged breaches of financial fair play if they are innocent.  

City were crowned Premier League champions at the weekend for the fifth time in six seasons, with Pep Guardiola’s team again proving to be the standout side in the division.

However, in February City were charged by the Premier League over allegedly breaching its financial rules 115 times over the last 14 seasons.

City have made it clear that they will take all available steps to defend themselves from the charges. They also say that they have irrefutable evidence to dispute the alleged rule breaches. 

Jamie Carragher says the investigation into Manchester City's Premier League charges should be resolved as soon as possible

Jamie Carragher says the investigation into Manchester City’s Premier League charges should be resolved as soon as possible

Carragher stated that City's success would be tainted if some of the charges are proven

Carragher stated that City’s success would be tainted if some of the charges are proven

Carragher stated that the situation needs to be sorted out ‘sooner rather than later’. 

Speaking on Sky Sports show Monday Night Football ahead of Leicester’s clash with Newcastle, Carragher said: ‘City defend themselves, they say they’re innocent of all charges. 

‘If you’re innocent of all charges, why do people keep saying “kick the can down the road”, this is going to go on for two to four years. 

‘City don’t want this, the Premier League don’t want it. It’s not good. One of the greatest teams of all time and the (greatest) managers… there’s this asterisk above it until this is sorted out. 

‘My message to City is this needs to get sorted sooner rather than later for their own reputation. There’s no doubt about it, If City get a ‘guilty’ on this, all that we’re talking about will be tainted.’

Carragher also stated City were only able to appoint Pep Guardiola as manager on the back of the charges and the Barcelona-style model that had been established at the club.

He said: ‘In terms of Guardiola you said in the last four or five years other teams have spent more, to get to the point to entice Guardiola, the best-in-class manager they could get, the Barcelona model was built for him. 

‘He’s more important than buying Haaland. They brought him to the club on the back of these charges, these need answering sooner rather than later, we can’t be two-four years, because that is a mess for City and everyone else competing in the Premier League.’

Carragher says City were only able to appoint Pep Guardiola off the back of the charges

Carragher says City were only able to appoint Pep Guardiola off the back of the charges

Meanwhile, Gary Neville stressed that he doesn’t agree with FFP as it is designed to prevent other clubs from competing with the elite.

The Manchester United legend added that if City are found guilty of some of the charges then their success would be tainted. 

He said: ‘I’ve got a real problem with FFP. 

‘It was driven through by the established elite so that clubs like City and Chelsea couldn’t compete with them so they could pat them on the head and say stay down there. 

‘No one ever complains about Jack Walker buying the league 30 years ago, FFP wasn’t in at that point. I think a new Jack Walker of any town should be able to drive their team.

‘I like the idea Sunderland could compete for the Champions League and the league title but under FFP you’re only allowed to spend what your revenue allows you, you’ll always be down there. 

‘I don’t like the rules, I’ve got some sympathy with City on that point but if the rules are in place you have to abide by them. There’s no doubt for City, their owners and their executives if some of the more serious charges of the 115 are proven the damage would be long lasting and it would be tainted.’

Like Carragher, Neville urged the Premier League to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible. 

Gary Neville criticised FFP but says if proven the damage from the charges would be severe

Gary Neville criticised FFP but says if proven the damage from the charges would be severe

He said: ‘If the Premier League don’t see through these charges the damage will equally be long lasting. There is a massive pressure moment coming in the next couple of years and there’s something that’s not going to go away until it’s dealt with. This is a sporting situation, it’s not a criminal situation. Let’s move it forward and try and get it resolved as quickly as possible.’  

If the charges of alleged breaches are proven then it is possible that City could face a points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League.

The charges against the reigning champions relate to financial information regarding revenue, details of manager and player remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability and sustainability and co-operation with Premier League investigations. 

City have reportedly lodged legal challenges against the Premier League over the rule breaches.

The reigning Premier League champions are believed to be disputing both the legality of the charges brought against them and the barrister in charge of the process.

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Post source: Daily mail

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