Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has defended Manchester City’s players amid the club’s financial misconduct case, saying any punishment should not diminish the quality of those who contributed to its success.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry said he felt sorry for the players because they were not responsible for the club’s financial dealings.
“Whatever the outcome or punishment, it’s always going to be, ‘Ah, did you really win?’ That’s unfair to those guys,” he said, highlighting former City captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as exceptional players.
Henry added that the club’s achievements and the players’ individual quality should be considered separately, regardless of the eventual sanctions.
An independent commission recently found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules covering nine seasons from 2009 to 2018. The club has appealed the findings and continues to deny wrongdoing. The outcome of the appeal and any sanctions remain pending.
Henry’s comments came after City suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
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