Mourinho questions key sticking point of ‘disgraceful’ Man City ruling

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has questioned why Manchester City have been fined despite being found not guilty of Financial Fair Play breaches.

City had their two-year European ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday, but they were fined £10million.

UEFA handed the ban down in February, with the charge relating to a misuse of Financial Fair Play regulations.

CAS,however, found that City had not disguised equity funding as sponsorship, adding that they had failed to co-operate with the investigation.

Mourinho said: “If Manchester City is not guilty of it, to be punished by some million is a disgrace. If you’re not guilty you’re not punished.

“In the other way, if you’re guilty you should be banned. In any case, it’s a disaster.I’m not saying Manchester City is guilty. I’m saying if you’re not guilty you don’t pay. Even with a pound.

“I know that money is quite easy for them but still. If you’re guilty you should be banned from the competition.

“I’m nobody to know if they’re guilty or not. My criticism is for the decision.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, said Monday was a “bad day for football” after the ruling.

The German insisted in his own press conference on Tuesday that FFP rules were there for “protecting teams, for protecting the competition”.

City are still in this season’s Champions League and face Real Madrid in their last-16 second leg tie in August.

MOURINHO RELAYS INJURY NEWS

Elsewhere in his press conference, Mourinho confirmed that Tanguy Ndombele has suffered another injury setback.

Dele Alli, meanwhile, will likely sit out Wednesday’s trip to Newcastle and question marks remain over Serge Aurier, whose brother was shot dead in Toulouse last weekend.

Mourinho said of Aurier: “At the moment just myself and others in the club spoke to him just to support him in a tragic moment for him and his family. His way of reacting, every person is a different feeling.

“So we are going to respect 100% Serge’s decisions and no pressure from us. This afternoon after training we’ll have a better idea of how he is feeling.

“Everybody reacts in a different way. Similar feelings and pain but people react in different way.”

Spurs are in the hunt for a Europa League place with only three games left of the Premier League season.