Manchester City faces expulsion from the Premier League after being charged with more than 100 financial violations.
The Premier League has referred Manchester City to an independent commission for alleged violations between 2009 and 2018.
The Premier League has accused City of failing to provide ‘accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position’ following a four-year investigation.
This data included club revenue, sponsorship income, and operating costs, with additional breaches involving the player and manager remuneration between 2009 and 2018.
Man City was also accused by the Premier League of failing to cooperate and assist with the investigation.
‘The proceedings before the Commission will be confidential and heard in private, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82,’ according to a statement.
‘The Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League website in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.2.’
Manchester City has dominated English football in recent years, winning the Premier League in four of the last five seasons.
However, if found guilty of the financial violations, the club will face an uncertain future, as the commission has the authority to impose various punishments on offending clubs.
Expulsion from the Premier League, loss of previous titles, point deductions, transfer bans, spending limits, and fines are among them.
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has threatened to resign if the club is found guilty, with UEFA previously accusing the club.
UEFA ruled in 2020 that Manchester City committed “serious violations” of Financial Fair Play between 2012 and 2016.
Later that year, however, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a two-year ban from European competitions.
Guardiola stated in August 2020, ‘I said to our people, “Tell me” about the suspicions. I looked at them and believed them completely from the start, so I defended the club as a result.
“If you lie to me, I won’t be here the next day,” I said. I will be out and you will not be my friend anymore”.
‘I like to represent a club that is doing things properly. In the end, it’s not about winning the Champions League or the Premier League; it’s about doing everything well for our people and our fans.
‘What CAS said meant a great deal to me. It dispelled all suspicion. I cannot forget that nine Premier League clubs lobbied to have Manchester City removed from European competitions; I know who they are.’
Manchester City is currently second in the Premier League, but their title defense took a hit over the weekend when they were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur.
‘Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,’ Man City said in a statement following the Premier League’s announcement.
‘The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, which will consider the extensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position impartially.
‘As such, we look forward to putting this matter to rest once and for all.’
What exactly happened?
Between 2009-10 and 2017-18, City is accused of violating the competition’s financial rules. The club is accused of violating rules concerning accurate financial reporting, the submission of full details of manager and player pay within the relevant contracts, the duty to comply with Uefa Financial Fair Play regulations, the duty to comply with Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations, and the duty to cooperate and assist with Premier League investigations.
What’s the backstory?
According to the Premier League, the investigation into these alleged rule violations began in December 2018. A month earlier, the German magazine Der Spiegel published leaked documents alleging that City had violated FFP rules by inflating the value of sponsorship deals with companies linked to the club’s Abu Dhabi owners.
and arranging’shadow contracts’ in order to pay some employees, including Roberto Mancini, manager between December 2009 and May 2013, higher-than-reported salaries. Uefa also looked into Der Spiegel’s report, with City vehemently denying any wrongdoing.
What comes next?
Murray Rosen KC, the chair of the Premier League’s independent judicial panel, will appoint panelists to serve alongside him. There are no timetables available.
What is the commission’s authority?
According to Premier League rules, if alleged violations are proven, sanctions range from a reprimand to point deductions and even a recommendation to the league to expel City from the competition.
What have the people of the City said? Given the club’s “extensive engagement” on the issue, a club statement expressed surprise that the alleged violations had been published. regarding the subject. The club says they are looking forward to the independent commission considering the ‘irrefutable evidence’ to back up their claim.
Leave a Reply