Alleged breaches of financial rules: Premier League charges Man City

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By Martin Graham | 8th Feb 2023

The Premier League has charged Manchester City for several infractions. The defending champions could come under a heavy hammer by the Premier League if found guilty.

The Premier League is bristling as it bears down on Manchester City for alleged breach of some financial rules. There has always been suspicion over how the Qatar-sponsored club could manage such investments and still operate within the ambits of the Financial Fair Play (FFP).

There have been accusations that the club has not been honest with its finances, and now the Premier League is bent on tearing the Citizens apart.

A section of the populace believes the Premier League wants to get back at Qatar for their homophobic stance during the World Cup in Qatar. They ask, why now? Another section believes that if they have done wrong, they should face the hammer. The consequences for the club if found guilty are massive and could signal the death knell for Manchester City.

Man City surprised at financial impropriety accusations

Manchester City has expressed surprise at the charges by the Premier League with numerous alleged financial rule violations.

The alleged violations range from the 2009-10 season to the 2017-18 season.

Man City are under the cosh for failing to provide accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position in accordance with league rules.

The league says they are scrutinizing the club for accurate financial information related to revenue (including sponsorship revenue) and its operating costs.

The second set of alleged violations relates to the alleged violation of rules requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager from 2009-10 to 2012-13.

The second set of alleged violations also includes requirements for a club to include full details of player remuneration in relevant contracts from 2010-11 to 2015-16.

The third section addresses alleged Premier League rule violations requiring clubs to comply with UEFA financial fair play regulations from 2013-14 to 2017-18.

Finally, from December 2018 to the present, the club is accused of violating league rules requiring member clubs to cooperate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations.

The Premier League – which opened its investigation in March 2019 – has referred the alleged offences to an independent commission.

Punishment if found guilty

Man City are at risk of several strong punishments that could derail the club. If found guilty, these are the penalties the Premier League could mete to the Etihad side.

Punishments an independent commission could impose on a club?

* Suspend a club from playing league matches

* Points deductions

* Recommend to the board that league matches be replayed

* Recommend to the board that the league expels the respondent club

* Order compensation

* Cancel or refuse registration of players

* Conditional punishment

* Order the club to pay the costs

* Make such other order as it thinks fit

The Premier League and its member clubs have no influence over the commissions.

The commission’s members will be appointed by the independent chair of the Premier League judicial panel in accordance with Premier League rules W.19, W.20, and W.26.