The Sunderland manager was asked about the controversy surrounding Manchester City after an independent commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of the league’s financial regulations over nine seasons, from 2009/10 to 2017/18.
The commission also upheld the majority of allegations concerning City’s failure to cooperate with the investigation. The club has denied wrongdoing and lodged an appeal, while the sanctions that could follow the verdict have yet to be determined.
Le Bris made clear that he believes the authorities must protect the credibility of the competition by ensuring the rules apply equally to every club.
“The competent authorities must be inflexible. Otherwise, the competition loses all its value,” the Sunderland head coach said.
“My position is simple: football has rules, on and off the pitch. These rules must be respected. Any infraction must result in consequences.”
Le Bris acknowledged that Sunderland were not directly involved in the case, but said the principle at stake extended beyond the clubs competing at the top of the table.
“Otherwise, it is not fair, and we want a fair competition, where fair play reigns. We were not there with Sunderland, but it is about respecting the rules,” he said.
“It is fundamental, because without them, there is no competition.”
The comments come amid growing debate across English football about how the Premier League should respond to the commission’s findings. City were found guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches over the period in question, with the commission concluding that commercial arrangements had artificially inflated revenue and reduced costs.
The findings also included breaches relating to the club’s cooperation with the investigation. City has challenged the decision through an appeal, meaning the legal process is continuing.
The scale of any eventual punishment remains uncertain. The Premier League’s disciplinary framework allows for a range of possible sanctions, but no final penalty should be assumed while the appeal process remains unresolved.
Le Bris’s position is that the governing bodies must demonstrate that the rules have practical force. In his view, failing to impose consequences when breaches are established would undermine trust in the competition and the fairness expected by supporters and clubs alike.
The case has become one of the most consequential financial disputes in English football, with potential implications for the league’s reputation and the interpretation of its regulations.
For Le Bris, the central issue is straightforward: clubs must be held to the same standards, regardless of their size or success. His comments add to the pressure on the authorities to deliver a clear outcome as the process continues.
With City’s appeal still to be resolved and sanctions yet to be decided, the final impact of the case remains unknown. Le Bris, however, has made his position clear: the credibility of the Premier League depends on enforcing its rules consistently.