The reigning champions have been charged with over 100 breaches of financial regulations. The allegations range from failing to provide accurate financial information to not cooperating with Premier League investigations.
If found guilty, Manchester City could face consequences such as a points deduction or even expulsion. However, the process may take years to reach a conclusion. The retrospective action of stripping City of their titles is seen as meaningless by some, and a fine is not expected to have much of an impact.
City has dominated the Premier League in recent years, winning six of the last 11 titles. However, sympathy from their rivals is unlikely given the severity of the charges. The allegations against the club include breaching rules related to revenue, remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability, sustainability, and cooperation with the league’s investigations.
The Premier League’s charges against City cover the period from September 2009 to the 2017-2018 season and will be referred to an independent commission. The club has also been charged with failing to cooperate with the league since the investigation was launched in 2018.
In response to the charges, Manchester City issued a statement expressing surprise and welcomed the review by an independent commission. The club claimed that it provided extensive materials and engaged in detailed discussions with the Premier League, and looks forward to having the comprehensive evidence considered impartially.
Details of the Premier League Rules that the Man City is alleged to have breached are as follows:
1. In respect of each of Seasons 2009/10 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those seasons that required provision by a member club to the Premier League, in the utmost good faith, of accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position, in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs, namely:
(a) for Season 2009/10, Premier League Rules B.13, C.71, C.72, C.75 (amended to C.79 from 10 September 2009 for the remainder of Season 2009/10) and C.80;
(b) for Season 2010/11, Premier League Rules B.13, C.78, C.79, C.86 and C.87;
(c) for Season 2011/12, Premier League Rules B.13, E.3, 4, E.11 and E.12;
(d) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11 and E.12;
(e) for Season 2013/14, Premier League Rules 15, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.49;
(f) for Season 2014/15, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50;
(g) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50;
(h) for Season 2016/17, Premier League Rules16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.51; and
(i) for Season 2017/18, Premier League Rules B.16, 3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.51.
2. In respect of:
(a) each of Seasons 2009/10 to 2012/13 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager, namely:
(1) for Seasons 2009/10 to 2011/12 inclusive, Premier League Rules Q.7 and Q.8; and
(2) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules P.7 and P.8; and
(b) each of Seasons 2010/11 to 2015/16 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons requiring a member club to include full details of player remuneration in its relevant contracts with its players, namely:
(1) for Seasons 2010/11 and 2011/12, Premier League Rules K.12 and K.20;
(2) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules T.12 and T.20;
(3) for Seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15, Premier League Rules T.12 and T.19; and
(4) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules T.13 and T.20.
3. In respect of each of Seasons 2013/14 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons requiring a member club to comply with UEFA’s regulations, including UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, namely:
(a) for Season 2013/14, Premier League Rule B.14.6; and
(b) for Seasons 2014/15 to 2017/18 inclusive, Premier League Rule B.15.6.
4. In respect of each of the Seasons 2015/16 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons on Profitability and Sustainability, namely:
(a) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules E.52 to E.60; and
(b) for Seasons 2016/17 and 2017/18, Premier League Rules E.53 to E.60.
5. In respect of the period from December 2018 to date, the Premier League Rules applicable in the relevant Seasons requiring a member club to cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations, including by providing documents and information to the Premier League in the utmost good faith, namely:
(a) for Season 2018/19, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13;
(b) for Season 2019/20, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13;
(c) for Season 2020/21, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13;
(d) for Season 2021/22, Premier League Rules B.15, B.18, W.1, W.2, W.15 and W.16; and
(e) for Season 2022/23, Premier League Rules B.15, B.18, W.1, W.2, W.15 and W.16.
This is not the first time City has faced criticism from their rivals. In 2020, the club was initially handed a two-year ban from the Champions League for breaking FFP regulations. However, City was cleared of all charges by the Court of Arbitration for Sport just five months later, having maintained their innocence throughout.
The fight against City extends beyond their Premier League counterparts. LaLiga chief Javier Tebas, who has been a vocal critic of City’s spending, took to social media to express his frustration at their latest charges. In 2017, Tebas publicly criticized the club at an event in Manchester and has since tweeted that he had previously denounced their breaches of financial fair play. He has also recently denounced the Premier League’s financial model following a record spending of £815m in the January window.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Tebas said, “The Premier League market is a doped, inflated market, but LaLiga still has the best players and stars.”
City remains confident in their innocence and looks forward to having the matter put to rest once and for all.
