Football regulator says he would quit over Man City

David Kogan, the head of England's independent football regulator, has made a firm commitment to step down from his role if he encounters any political interference concerning the ongoing case involving Manchester City. Emphasizing that regulatory independence is absolute, Kogan made it clear that statutory processes will dictate every step of the watchdog's actions.

As chairman of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), a role he assumed one year ago following a career as a sports media rights executive, Kogan holds the authority to evaluate the suitability of club owners and senior executives. If an independent commission's findings that the club breached financial regulations are upheld, the regulatory body will face decisions regarding whether to force a sale of the club.

An independent commission previously concluded a 42-day hearing revealing that City breached rules over a nine-year span between 2009 and 2018 by establishing sham commercial contracts to secretly channel more than 830 million pounds into their football operations. City have consistently denied the allegations and launched an appeal. Potential punishments range from massive fines, points deductions, and expulsion from the Premier League, to being stripped of eight trophies won during the relevant period.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

"We are independent. That is in the name. I am the chairman of the Independent Football Regulator and independence absolutely runs through everything we're doing. And no politician has tried to influence and would try to influence anything we do on that."

David Kogan

Political tensions intensified following remarks made by the Prime Minister, who later denied downplaying the seriousness of the findings. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch subsequently demanded the release of all details regarding meetings between the Prime Minister and senior club figures, prompting the government to publish those records on Monday. Questions have also been raised about connections between figures linked to Greater Manchester and the club's Abu Dhabi ownership.