February 6 – In an explosive development, the Premier League has charged Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation that could potentially have serious consequences for the defending champions.
City are accused of providing misleading information about its finances over a staggering nine-year period at a time when the Abu Dhabi-owned club was starting to establish itself as a major force in English and European football.
During those nine years, City won three Premier League titles – in 2012, 2014 and 2018 – in what has become the most successful period in their 143-year history, though the Champions League still eludes them.
The alleged breaches have been referred to an independent commission ahead of a confidential hearing.
The Premier League accused City of breaching rules requiring provision “in utmost good faith” of “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position.”
In a statement, City said it was “surprised” by the allegations, “particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
A large fine seems inevitable if the charges are proven but other possibilities are a points deduction, being stripped of trophies or even, though unlikely, being kicked out.
The charges stem from a Premier League investigation into City’s financial dealings launched months after the release of a tranche of ‘Football Leaks’ documents obtained by the German publication Der Spiegel.
City were subsequently banned from Europe by UEFA for two years, but successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which overturned the ban in 2020.
Nevertheless, CAS fined City €10 million for failing to cooperate with investigators. The club’s “blatant disregard” should be “strongly condemned,” the court judged.
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