Mikel Arteta refuses to discuss Manchester City breaches while appeal continues

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has declined to comment further on Manchester City’s rule breaches, insisting the ongoing appeals process must be respected.

Arteta was asked about the findings of an independent commission during his first news conference since the ruling. He repeatedly said he would not discuss the case in detail until the proceedings had been concluded.

The Spaniard worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019, a period which overlaps with the nine-season timeframe examined by the commission.

The independent commission found that Manchester City had concealed more than 830 million pounds in funding through arrangements involving sham contracts with several commercial partners.

Asked specifically about the “sham contracts”, Arteta said: “I fully understand the question, but obviously I think it’s very important that we respect the process, the timelines, and it’s still an ongoing process that is not resolved because it’s been appealed.

“My position, and I think the club’s position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved.”

Manchester City have appealed the decision, meaning the case remains unresolved.

Arteta added: “The people are responsible to manage this process and to come to the right conclusions and I’m sure it will be done and it will be resolved in the right way. We have to trust that.”

The Arsenal manager made the comments at the club’s training ground, where he faced more than 30 minutes of questions about the case.

Despite the length of the questioning, Arteta maintained that he would continue to avoid discussing the evidence or the commission’s conclusions while Manchester City’s appeal is still being considered.

He was also asked whether he had a clear conscience over his conduct while working at Manchester City.

Arteta replied simply: “Yes”.