Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany ‘rolling his eyes’ at ‘righteous’ club critics in light of Premier League financial charges

Vincent Kompany has questioned the motives behind his former club’s critics over the charges brought by the Premier League.

The champions have been hit with an array of charges from the Premier League amounting to over 100 breaches of financial rules in place relating to a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.

If found guilty by an independent committee, City are facing some unprecedented punishments including relegation from the Premier League, having their titles stripped or hefty fines.

Kompany, the former captain, was at the club throughout the period under question and won a number of trophies including the Premier League and the FA Cup.

And the current Burnley boss was asked about his thoughts on what is happening at his former side and whether it would tarnish his achievements at the Etihad.

He said: “I kind of look at it and sometimes roll my eyes a little bit.

“No doubt there’s a lot of righteousness in the world to come and tell you what you’ve done wrong.

“And then if everybody looks at themselves, I think the football industry, in general, is not one that can afford to point the finger too many times.

“I think all of you will have a little bit of a smile on your face to know what the football industry is about.

“I’m very sceptical when people start pointing fingers.

“Do the best for yourself and let’s try and improve all the time but I’m a little bit sceptical when the fingers get pointed easily.”

The charges relate to City artificially inflating money coming into the club in commercial and sponsorship deals but the Premier League allege that cash actually came directly from the Abu Dhabi owners.

Another includes deflating the costs of running the club by having managers on contracts with other companies of the owners so that only a small part of the true cost was put through the books.

City have since responded by hiring Lord David Pannick KC, one of the top barristers in the country, while the club are confident that they can overthrow the charges.

In a statement, the club said: “The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”