Man City case: regulator would quit if politics interferes

David Kogan, chair of English football's Independent Regulator, said on 13 October 2026 that he would resign if there were political interference in how the regulator operates, including over any future investigation linked to Manchester City.

"Our independence is absolute, and my independence personally is absolute," Kogan said. He said any political interference in the regulator's work would lead him to resign.

Manchester City have been found guilty by an independent commission on more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League financial rules. The club have appealed and deny wrongdoing, but face a severe sanction unless they overturn the verdict.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was criticised after saying he would be "really concerned" if City's Abu Dhabi owners left the club following the verdict. Downing Street later said no one was "above the rules". Burnham, who was mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 to June 2026, has since published his dealings with City officials.

Kogan also warned that English club football was on the "edge of financial disaster" despite high revenues. The regulator's first State of the Game report found that English football generated £9 billion, or $12 billion, in revenue last season, but said 94% of clubs in the top five divisions were loss-making.

The report said 32 clubs could not survive more than 30 days without owner funding, while 17 would make a loss even if their players played for free. It forecast total debt in English football would rise above £5 billion by the end of this season, with net transfer debt at about £3.4 billion.