Manchester City, one of the most successful football teams in the English league, has repeatedly and for a long time violated financial rules, according to the management of the Premier League.
The allegations, published in a Premier League statement, are unprecedented in their scope, according to The New York Times. City accused of dozens of offences; the club is said to have repeatedly refused to provide “a true and fair view of its financial situation, particularly with regard to its income (including sponsorship income), membership and running costs”.
The violations are said to be related to rules that require detailed information on rewards for both managers and players. Between 2013–14 and 2017–18, the club was found to have breached rules related to UEFA regulations, as well as Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability.
City, who have won six Premier League titles since 2011, have also refused to disclose contract payments and have not co-operated with investigators, according to competition officials.
The financial review took four years. Representatives of the Premier League investigated the accounts of the famous club in depth – from 2009 to 2018. Now they have turned to a special commission with evidence that should testify to more than a hundred offenses.
The commission can impose penalties including fines, points deductions, and according to the BBC, expulsion from England’s top football competition is at risk.
The reaction of the club in question is reserved so far. Manchester City have “expressed surprise” that they should be breaking Premier League rules. It also rejected claims of insufficient cooperation. And further: “The club welcomes a review of this matter by an independent panel which will impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence the club has to support its position.”
After all, Manchester City has already succeeded once with its arguments in a similar case. That was when the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend him three years ago.
UEFA ordered the club to be banned from participating in European competitions for two years due to the violation of the so-called financial fair play in football. ManCity objected, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban the same year.
