“The criticism of City has always been very unjust” – Former manager Manuel Pellegrini comes to clubs defence after Premier League charges

Manuel Pellegrini has come to the defence of former club Manchester City in regards to the Premier League’s decision to hit the Blues with charges relating to over 100 alleged financial breaches.

The Sky Blues were hit with 115 charges spanning over a nine-year period last month, as the Premier League concluded a four-year investigation into the club.

Alleged breaches took place over an extended period and relate to financial information, profitability and sustainability, player and manager remuneration, failure to cooperate and UEFA regulations.

If found guilty of the charges Manchester City face the prospect of possible expulsion from the Premier League, with a lengthy legal battle which could last years, set to ensue between the club and league.

Manuel Pellegrini, who was Manchester City manager between 2013 and 2016, a time which a series of the alleged breaches relate to, has come to defence of the Blues, who he guided to a Premier League title and two League Cup triumphs.

“The criticism of City has always been very unjust,” he told the Daily Mail.

“If there had been an astronomical difference between clubs then maybe, but Chelsea were spending a fortune, Manchester United were spending a fortune, Liverpool were spending a fortune, Arsenal were spending a fortune.

“It’s not the case that one club wanted a player for 100m and City came along and paid 200m. That didn’t really happen.

“It’s like any economic activity: the more money there is, the better it is. Of course you need some sort of control but the more investment there is from both home and abroad the more attractive the league.

“In England every team can sign important players and that makes the league stronger.

“Manchester City, United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and now Newcastle, can all compete for the league, that’s seven teams – when it comes to teams who can compete for La Liga, there are very few.”

Pellegrini, who is the current manager at Real Betis, is returning to Manchester this week as his side face Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League.

The La Liga side visit Old Trafford on Thursday before welcoming Erik ten Hag’s team to Seville next week in the second-leg.

The former Manchester City manager also revealed his opinion on the prospect that City could be stripped of their Premier League titles, something the Chilean strongly refuted.

“That league can’t be taken away because it’s already been lived.

“Imagine they take the trophy away – the runner-up is not now going to feel like the champion. Football is the moment. You win it with your people out there on the pitch.”