Jamie Carragher has questioned Manchester City’s conduct as the club wait for an outcome on the 115 Financial Fair Play charges against them.
Should City win against West Ham United on Sunday, they would claim a record fourth Premier League title in succession.
However, an ongoing case regarding City’s financial conduct between 2008 and 2019 has the likes of Carragher claiming Pep Guardiola’s Premier League achievements will carry an asterisk until the club clear their name.
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While City have always vehemently denied any wrongdoing Carragher called the situation a “public relations disaster” in light of the Blues being on the cusp of another title.
Writing in the Telegraph the Liverpool icon said: “Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have been magnificent. They are one game from winning 16 of their last 18 Premier League games, exactly the same as Klopp’s Liverpool in 2022. By all normal definitions, that form deserves a title.
“As was the case with Liverpool, Arsenal’s wage bill is significantly less than City’s. They have taken on a juggernaut and look like they come up just short, not because of any flaws in their set-up, but because of the flawlessness of the opponent.
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“Anyone assessing this period in history and judging the close title races through the lens of Arteta and Klopp underachieving does not understand football, and the elite levels required to keep winning under the most intense physical and emotional pressure.”
Carragher added: “Arsenal, just like Liverpool, also had to overcome another disadvantage in pursuit of top spot which cannot be ignored, no matter how much Guardiola, City and the Premier League wish to sweep it under the carpet.
“The foundations at the Emirates and Anfield were laid after a slow and steady rebuild with the clubs diligently abiding by the profit and sustainability rules designed to make it a fair race.
“City, as we know, remain under investigation for fast-tracking their way to the summit and have 115 charges pending related to the years 2009-2018.”
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Carragher outlined his astonishment that City had not pushed for their hearing against the Premier League to start sooner given their insistence on innocence, with Premier League chief Richard Masters having not yet disclosed a start date for the matter.
Carragher said: “Guardiola should be celebrated for his genius by neutrals as well as City fans. But whether he and his club likes it or not, City will never escape the shadow of those allegations until they are dealt with, the years of legal wrangling still preventing the club from clearing its name.
“That is what baffles me about the whole sordid affair. When accusations are made against any individuals or institutions who have absolute certainty in their innocence, you would usually expect the demand of those involved to arrange a hearing at the earliest opportunity.
“Where is the statement from City expressing frustration or fury that the process is taking so long?
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“Kicking the can down the road means too many insults are being directed at a brilliant manager and his extraordinary team – none of whom will have a clue about how the club was operating in those years under suspicion. Guardiola deserves better than lifting his sixth Premier League under such a cloud.”
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Chris Byfield