Photo via BBC Sport

Regulator would quit over interference in Man City case

David Kogan, chairman of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), has warned he would resign if faced with political interference in the ongoing Manchester City ownership dispute. The IFR is set to determine whether Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), the club’s owners linked to UAE vice-president Sheikh Mansour, violated Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period.

An independent commission found evidence of a £830 million disguised funding scheme between 2009 and 2018, though City have denied wrongdoing and appealed the findings. Kogan’s stance comes amid scrutiny of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s comments, which some clubs viewed as an attempt to influence the process.

Burnham, previously mayor of Greater Manchester, had expressed concern about a potential sale of the club by ADUG, calling them ‘a huge partner’ in Manchester’s development. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has since demanded transparency over any meetings between Burnham and City officials, with the government releasing details on Monday.

Kogan reaffirmed the IFR’s independence, stating its decisions will follow statutory guidelines regardless of political statements. His appointment as IFR chair was previously scrutinized due to past financial contributions to Labour Party leadership campaigns, including those of Sir Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy.

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