David Kogan, the chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), has stated he will step down from his position if he encounters political interference regarding the handling of Manchester City’s financial case. The case involves allegations that the club breached Premier League financial regulations over a nine-year period. Kogan’s comments come amid concerns that the club’s ownership structure, which is linked to the rulers of Abu Dhabi, could lead to diplomatic or political pressure on the UK government to intervene in the regulatory process.

While the BBC focuses on the regulator's stance as a general commitment to independence, The Guardian provides more specific context regarding the nature of the potential interference. The Guardian notes that the IFR possesses the authority to potentially remove the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) as owners of the club if the independent commission’s findings are upheld following the current appeal process. Both outlets agree that Kogan is positioning himself as a firewall against external influence, though they differ in how they characterize the source of the potential pressure. The Guardian explicitly links the concern to the proximity of the club's ownership to Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, whereas the BBC frames the issue more broadly as a matter of political interference in the regulatory process.