Man City release eye-opening interview with Khaldoon Al Mubarak just 24 hours after confirmed legal action against Premier League as he makes player swap transfer window prediction

The City chairman conducted an interview with club media last Saturday to review the season, in which Pep Guardiola's side won a record-breaking fourth consecutive league title but missed out on the double by losing the FA Cup final to Manchester United. The interview was conducted before it emerged that City have launched a legal action against the Premier League over its Associated Party Transaction Rules, although Al Mubarak still hit out at creeping regulation within English football.

“I think the Premier League got to where it is today by being the most competitive league. So, I hope there is a bit more sensibility in regulating," he said. "Always a balanced approach is good from all the leagues, be it in England or the rest of Europe. I think you won’t see the same level as we’ve seen in the last years, because of the levels of regulations that have come into place over the last 12 months.”

The Premier League has introduced Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and last season deducted points from Everton and Nottingham Forest for not complying with them, while also charging Leicester, who have just been promoted back to the top flight. But their biggest case concerns City, who are set to face a hearing this autumn over their 115 charges for breaching the league's financial rules. Al Mubarak predicted the rules would impact on clubs ability to make transfers and said there would also be a clampdown on player swaps.

"Because there’s also been a lot of restrictions now put in place on swaps and loans, so even that is now much more restricted," he said. "So, I think the level of manoeuvrability that was in place before that allowed teams to do what they were able to do in the past, I think, is much more restricted this year and that’s going to be reflected, I believe, this summer."

Al Mubarak said he was frustrated that the 115 charges continue to be referenced as a caveat to City's success and urged for pundits and rival supporters to not speculate on the outcome of the hearing.

"Of course, it’s frustrating. I think the referencing is always frustrating. Having it being talked about the way it’s being talked about. I can feel for our fanbase, and everyone associated with the club, to have these charges constantly referenced," he said. "I think we as a club have to respect that there is a process that we have to go through, and we’re going through it. It’s taking longer than what anyone hoped for, but it is what it is, and I’ve always repeated, let’s be judged by the facts, and not by claims and counterclaims."

City's legal action against the league begins next Monday and it could have huge ramifications on the autumn hearing into the 115 charges, many of which relate to the club allegedly not providing accurate information to the Premier League over their revenue. City argue in their lawsuit that sponsors should be allowed to decide how much they want to pay and also claim that the current rules are discriminatory towards clubs with strong links to the Gulf region.