Jurgen Klopp says he cannot say anything about the City case because he does not know the details
Jurgen KloppHead coach of the Germany men's national team and former Liverpool manager, at a German football federation press conference
Asked at a Germany press conference on September 30, 2026 about City's verdict and his earlier remark that he would come to a Liverpool title parade, Klopp said in German that he could not say anything about the other matter because he did not know exactly what it was about, and that it did not much interest him. He added that if punishments were handed down he had nothing to do with it and would wait. Earlier in his answer he spoke of his respect for Guardiola and for City's football. English-language reports translate his words differently, so we quote the German.
“Wir haben uns auf dem Platz bekämpft, über das andere kann ich nichts sagen, weil ich nicht weiß, um was es da genau geht ... Es interessiert mich ehrlich gesagt auch nicht sonderlich.”
Original video
Reporting
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Did Manchester City use 'sham' sponsorships to circumvent Premier League financial rules, as an independent commission found and the club denies?
On September 29, 2026, the Premier League published the redacted core decision of an independent commission that heard its charges against Manchester City. The commission found that between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons City arranged sponsorship contracts that it described as "shams" with a number of Abu Dhabi sponsors, as part of what it called a disguised funding scheme in which the club's owner, Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), paid most of the recorded fees. It found that the club "clearly intended to circumvent the PL Rules." It found all of the financial-rule charges proven and most of the co-operation charges proven. City says it is innocent, that "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists" in support of its positions, and that the opinion is unsafe. It says it will appeal, and the deadline is October 2. The sanction has not been decided. As of October 1, 2026, this is a first-instance decision that an Appeal Board has not reviewed on the merits. The disputed question is whether City used sponsorship contracts that the commission described as shams, and related arrangements, to misstate its finances and circumvent the Premier League's financial rules.
Source and context
Original video
About this source
The German federation's recording of the Germany squad's press conference on September 30, 2026. Klopp, then Germany's head coach, answers in German. English reports translate his words differently, so the quotation is given in German.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
SPORT1's German-language report on the press conference, quoting Klopp's answer word for word.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
The Independent's report on the press conference, with an English translation of Klopp's answer. It also recalls a joking remark Klopp made in January 2025 about a parade if City lost titles.
Before the quotation
Klopp became Germany's head coach on August 15, 2026 after leaving Liverpool in 2024. In January 2025, while working for Red Bull, he joked about holding his own parade in his garden if City were stripped of titles, according to The Independent. The question at the press conference came from a SPORT1 reporter.
After the quotation
SPORT1 reports that he added he would wait on developments very calmly. The Independent's headline says Klopp addresses his Liverpool parade comments. As of October 1, 2026, no sanction had been set.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the proposition that City used sponsorship contracts the commission described as shams, and related arrangements, to misstate its finances and circumvent the Premier League's financial rules, as the commission found, Klopp says he cannot and will not say anything about the case because he does not know what it concerns, and that it does not much interest him. That expressly chooses not to address the finding, so we used Explicitly stayed out. The closest competing label is not a position event, because the remark answers a question about the verdict rather than adding a view, but he answered the question by declining. He also walks back his earlier parade remark, which concerns Liverpool's titles rather than the finding.
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More from this case
Read the full caseGary Neville says "the biggest consequence would be the removal of the owners" after the commission's decision
“The biggest consequence would be the removal of the owners. That is the only consequence, if I was Manchester City, that I would be worried about. And as a fan of Manchester City, if you wanted to keep the investment that you've currently got, that would be the one that I would be most concerned. However, if you're in football and you're thinking about a consequence, what can be more serious than industrial-level financial doping that we've seen and they've been found guilty of?”Read statement
Etihad Airways says it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication" that it was involved in improper arrangements
Etihad Airways
“Etihad Airways has reviewed the Premier League commission's published opinion relating to the disciplinary proceedings involving Manchester City, together with the Premier League's public communication of its findings. Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements. The Premier League's public communication of the commission's findings, following a period of selective leaks and reporting, has further created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the redacted published findings. At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the commission's opinion. Etihad was therefore never given the opportunity by the Premier League to be represented, to provide relevant information, or to ensure the accuracy and fairness of information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be interpreted as reflecting adversely on the airline. Etihad is deeply concerned by the way this matter has been communicated publicly. The lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the published decision. The Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of the way in which these findings have been presented. Etihad is immensely proud of its longstanding relationship with Manchester City. The Etihad name has been proudly carried by the club and its stadium for many years, as part of a partnership that has connected us with millions of supporters around the world. Our commitment to Manchester City, its supporters and our shared partnership remains strong. We stand with the club, its supporters and our wider Etihad community as Manchester City challenges the commission's conclusions through the processes available to it. Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests.”Read statement
IFR chair David Kogan says the decision "raises serious issues" and the regulator will "await further developments"
“The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues. The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals. This includes taking account of findings made by the Leagues. However, as the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League we will await further developments. We hope it can be resolved quickly for the sake of fans. For now, we have no further comment.”Read statement
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- The Dispute Index
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- Jurgen Klopp says he cannot say anything about the City case because he does not know the details
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/4015-asked-at-a-germany-press-conference-on-september
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Jurgen Klopp says he cannot say anything about the City case because he does not know the details". First published: 2026-10-01. Last updated: 2026-10-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/4015-asked-at-a-germany-press-conference-on-september