Henry Likens Man City Case to VAR and Wants Verdict This Season

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has likened the length of Manchester City’s financial case to VAR, and called for the matter to be resolved before the end of the season, speaking on CBS Sports on Wednesday night.

An independent commission published its verdict late last month, finding City guilty on every count relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009/10 and 2017/18. The club have lodged an appeal, with head coach Enzo Maresca claiming City’s owners are convinced they will win.

The Premier League first opened its investigation in December 2018, before charging the club in February 2023. The original hearing took place in late 2024, meaning the process has now stretched across almost eight years, with the appeal still to come.

Henry was keen to stress that he was not in a position to comment on what punishment City should face, repeatedly insisting it was not his place to do so.

He said, ‘I am not a judge, I am definitely not a lawyer, I always say to stay in your lane.’

However, Arsenal’s record goalscorer did question why the case has taken so long, comparing it to the delays caused by the Video Assistant Referee in the Premier League.

‘I am going to make a joke, if people allow me, this is like VAR. Can it be quicker, can it be faster?’ he said. ‘Whatever the punishment is going to be, it is going to have to be this year, and before the end of the league.’

The Frenchman also expressed sympathy for the City players who starred during the period under investigation, naming Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Agüero and Kevin De Bruyne. He argued that, whatever the outcome, their achievements will always be questioned, arguing it was unfair as they were not involved in the club's financial decisions.

He added, ‘Those great players, for me, will always be great, regardless of what the punishment may be.’

Mikel Arteta, who was an assistant manager at the club during the time of the alleged breaches, insists that despite his senior role at the club, his conscience remains clear.

Arsenal could also seek compensation once the case is concluded. According to The Independent, the Gunners were the first of four clubs to preserve their right to claim damages from City under the Premier League’s rules, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur following suit.

Kompany, one of the players Henry singled out, will be in the opposite dugout when Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the Champions League next Wednesday.