The Premier League has accused Manchester City of breaking established financial rules more than 100 times. The five-year investigation reviewed breaches that occurred during a time period of 2009/10 to 2017/18.
According to the Premier League, Manchester City breached the rules in that the club failed to provide the league with an accurate report of its financial situation. In addition, the club did not disclose the monetary contracts issued to players and coaches. So, it didn’t help the league in its investigation.
Manchester City issued a statement countering the charges. In it, the club said it worked with investigators, providing them with “extensive engagement and a wealth of detailed materials.”
The years for which the charges are derived are highlighted. In the summer of 2008, Abu Dhabi United Group bought City. Before the 2009/10 season, City started their wasteful trend. He spent more than $125 million before the 2009/10 season. Since 2012, Manchester City have spent more than almost any other club in the world. Only Chelsea have more total spending, buoyed by a spending-heavy revelation under Todd Boehly.
According to The Guardian, some of the city’s financial problems stem from the city’s Abu Dhabi ownership group which disguised its own funding as independent sponsorships of state trading companies. He used the money on transfer fees, but then allegedly had a secret contract to increase manager Roberto Mancini’s salary. That information arose from information that Football Leaks found in 2018.
Manchester City previously faced punishment for breaking financial rules in Europe. In February 2020, UEFA banned City from the Champions League for many of the same reasons the Premier League failed against City. Financial irregularities and a failure to work with investigators led to a ban. However, City successfully appealed against the UEFA sanction, so the punishment was minimal.
Manchester City break financial rules and risk relegation
UEFA instituted a two-year ban for Manchester City. As stated, that never happened as City appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The punishment for City based on breaking Premier League rules is also severe.
Although the proceedings and hearings are private, the consequence for violating financial rules includes a number of possibilities. For example, if you are found guilty, the City may have reduced points, fines, or reprimands. In an extreme case, the Premier League can expel City.
Juventus suffered a 15-point deduction for financial irregularities. The Old Lady plunged from third in Serie A to tenth, practically overnight.
However, according to The Times’ Martyn Ziegler, Manchester City will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as they did with the UEFA sanction.
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