A-League clubs give 'full support' to high-ranking Man City executive

A-League clubs are standing by Melbourne City vice-chairman Simon Pearce despite his involvement in the scandal that has led to a two-year ban from the UEFA Champions League for Manchester City.

Pearce is one of the most powerful figures in Australian football, having orchestrated a years-long battle for governance reform of Football Federation Australia and the separation of the A-League from the governing body.

A-League clubs say Melbourne City vice-chairman Simon Pearce still has their "full support" despite his implication in the UEFA scandal involving Manchester City.Credit: Getty Images

The English-born former PR executive, who sits on the board of both Manchester City and the City Football Group (CFG), is also responsible for convincing former English Premier League mastermind Richard Scudamore to become a 'special advisor' to the A-League, and for the continued contribution by CFG specialists towards formulating a long-term strategy for the competition.

But Pearce has been directly implicated in what UEFA says are "serious breaches" of their Financial Fair Play regulations by the reigning Premier League champions.

UEFA's Adjudicatory Chamber found that Manchester City had deliberately overstated sponsorship revenue from companies connected to the club’s Abu Dhabi owner to circumvent Financial Fair Play rules, which limit the amount of money club owners can spend from their own pockets.

Manchester City were fined €30 million ($48 million) and excluded by UEFA from the Champions League for two seasons, although the club immediately announced plans for an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and described UEFA's process as "prejudicial".

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, pictured earlier this month.Credit: Getty Images

UEFA's case centred around leaked emails published by German magazine Der Spiegel. Pearce was the recipient of some of the most damning emails, while in one he was quoted as saying, "we can do what we want" with regards to modifying sponsorship contracts.

Although there are no direct implications for Melbourne City from UEFA's ruling, and no prospect that they could be similarly suspended from the AFC Champions League if they were to qualify, Pearce's alleged conduct and involvement in the matter raise questions about whether A-League clubs are happy to continue working with him.

Chris Fong, the vice-chairman of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association (APFCA), which represents A-League club owners, said the sanctions imposed on Manchester City were "not our concern or business".

"Simon Pearce is a key member of our independence transition team, he has our full support," Fong, the vice-chairman of Brisbane Roar, told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

"Simon has, and continues to dedicate a massive amount of time and resources towards our goal of reshaping professional football in Australia.

"APFCA does not have a position on the UEFA-MCFC decision related to FFP. [It is] not our concern or business.

"Our focus is independence and the growth of our game Australia which CFG, as have all APFCA members, continue to provide important resources."

Western Sydney Wanderers owner Paul Lederer also heads the APFCA.

Pearce, who is also on FFA's board nominations committee, could not be reached by the Herald, while Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer - also the chairman of APFCA - did not return calls.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for FFA - whose new chief executive James Johnson previously worked for CFG as senior vice-president of external affairs - said the organisation acknowledged UEFA's decision but would not comment because of Manchester City's ability to appeal to the CAS.

In an interview with the Herald and The Age in October, Lederer said he had no issues with CFG's deep level of involvement in Australian football, despite the group being owned by a foreign government.

"At the end of the day, this game is a world game. There's owners from all around the world, everywhere. I don't think it's a bad thing," Lederer said.

"They've got a lot of resources and knowledge behind them, they can put a lot of money into the game, they've got a worldwide network, they're very professional. It's helped our cause. They've got access to phenomenal people."

On Saturday, Melbourne City chief executive Brad Rowse told the Herald and The Age it would be "business as usual" for the A-League club despite the controversy in Europe.

Rowse was confident that City's Manchester-based leaders will prove the club's actions should not be punished when the CAS appeal takes place.

"The group just want to go through the independent process and be vindicated through it," Rowse said. "We are fully confident that we will be vindicated ... we will be fighting it to the fullest extent and contest it at the highest level."