The head of English football’s independent regulator said he will resign if he encounters any political interference over the future of Manchester City.
As chairman of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), David Kogan has the power to assess the suitability of club owners and executives.
If an independent commission’s findings that the club broke Premier League financial rules are upheld, the watchdog would have to decide whether to force a sale.
Last month, the Prime Minister Andy Burnham was criticised for saying he would be “really concerned” if Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners decided to sell up.
When asked about Burnham’s comments, Kogan told BBC Sport: “The Prime Minister is entirely entitled to make his own observations on anything.
“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.”
When asked what he would do if he did come under political pressure over the case, Kogan replied: “I would resign.”
An independent commission found City had broken rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018 by creating “sham” contracts with commercial partners to secretly funnel more than £830m into their football operations. City insist they are innocent and have appealed.
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