The Aston Villa manager became the first current Premier League boss to publicly address the fallout from the independent commission’s findings, which City are appealing.
The commission found Manchester City guilty of serious financial-rule breaches and concluded that the club had overstated revenue and understated costs by more than £900 million during the period under investigation.
City’s appeal would challenge the findings surrounding commercial arrangements, with the club maintaining that the commission made material errors in its assessment.
Emery was asked about the implications for English football while speaking to Spanish publication Diario de Sevilla. His response focused on the financial restrictions that affect clubs across the Premier League.
“It’s an issue that was already known. Because we all have our restrictions, we have to sell players to comply with Financial Fair Play, we have to figure out how to draw up contracts with new people,” Emery said.
The Villa manager then suggested that the financial practices under scrutiny may not be confined to one club.
“Financial Fair Play seeks a financial balance so that what you generate is spent and there isn’t inflation. Yes, many other clubs have inflated their budgets, and now it’s coming to light, and naturally there’s a decline,” he said.
Emery stopped short of determining what the consequences of the City case should be, leaving that responsibility to the authorities dealing with the appeal.
“That’s something that the courts and those responsible will have to decide,” he said.
He also separated the financial dispute from his assessment of City’s football under Pep Guardiola, acknowledging the level they reached on the pitch during the period now under examination.
“I feel sorry because how that team played. With Guardiola, there were times when they were unmatched,” Emery said.
The case has particular relevance for Villa because Emery’s side have also had to operate within financial regulations despite the wealth of co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
Ownership wealth does not give clubs unlimited spending power. Villa have previously faced UEFA scrutiny over financial regulations, while their squad-building has had to take account of the revenue-based rules governing spending.
Manchester City have now lodged their appeal, and Reuters reported that the club continues to reject the commission’s conclusions. The appeal process will determine whether the findings stand and whether any sporting or financial consequences follow.
Emery’s comments instead broaden the discussion to the financial environment in which every Premier League club now operates, particularly when ambitious owners and competitive demands collide with spending restrictions.