Rabat – Jose Mourinho has reacted with dry humor to news of Manchester City appealing its conviction for serious financial misconduct, joking that the Premier League’s legal fight could outlast his lifetime.
Manchester City immediately launched an appeal after an independent commission convicted the club of extensive financial rule-breaking between 2009 and 2018.
In addition to the financial infractions, the panel found the Premier League champions guilty on three counts of failing to assist investigators throughout the inquiry.
According to the Premier League, Manchester City disguised over $1.19 billion in actual expenses while artificially boosting revenue through illegitimate commercial deals over nearly a decade.
During his tenure as Manchester United manager between 2016 and 2018, Mourinho guided the club to a runner-up finish in the 2017–18 season, sitting just behind title-winning Manchester City.
Speaking to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, Mourinho brushed off the case with humor, stating: “I would rather laugh about it.”
“I think we will eventually get an ending, but we are both in our 60s and we’ll need to be lucky enough to still be around when the final verdict arrives,” he added.
“There will be a verdict, then appeals, then more appeals.”
Because the appeal will take place behind closed doors, it remains uncertain whether any penalties will be enforced ahead of the hearing or if potential punishments would take effect right away.
