City of Coventry Manager Frank Lampard has refused to speculate Manchester City financial defaults or the possible consequences for his former club, insisting that the appeal process should be allowed to run its course.
The City Council was found guilty of non-compliance Premier League financial regulations after a lengthy investigation into his financial activities between 2009 and 2018.
The club has denied any wrongdoing and has lodged an appeal against the findings of the independent commission.
Lampard, who spent the 2014-15 season at the Etihad Stadium towards the end of his playing career, admitted he was not in a position to judge the case.
“We’ve all seen the news, it’s obviously great news, Man City is attractive. I guess that’s my reaction, right?” Lampard said.
“What can you say when there’s an appeal? I’m not in the story, I’m completely out. I played for Man City a long time ago, for a year.
“We’ll wait and see what the outcome of the appeal is and going forward. I don’t know the timelines at all.”
Lampard made 38 Premier League appearances in his one season with City, scoring six goals after leaving Chelsea.
Lampard is unsure of the impact on City’s season
The former England midfielder was also asked if the ongoing controversy could affect Manchester City’s performances this season.
City face the possibility of significant sporting sanctions if their appeal is unsuccessful, although the final punishment has yet to be decided.
Lampard did not want to predict how the situation could influence the players or coach Enzo Maresca.
“I don’t know, for Man City? I’m out of the circuit,” he said.
“I have this job and my own, not problems, but things I have to work on and I always respect a manager for any situation, there are many things you don’t know.
“That’s obviously something we know, but it’s a big football club now, a big team of quality players, so we’ll see.”