Man City financial investigation - LIVE: Premier League charge club and potential points deduction latest
The Premier League released a statement alleging that Manchester City have broken a number of their financial rules following a four-year investigation
Manchester City have been charged by the Premier League with numerous breaches of their financial rules, following a four-year investigation into the finances of the current Premier League champions.
In an unprecedented statement, the Premier League alleged that the breaches came over nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018. Manchester City won the Premier League three times during that period.
The Premier League said the alleged breaches referred to “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position” in particular its “revenue”, “sponsorship revenue” and “operating costs” and potential punishments range from fines to points deductions or even expulsion from the league.
The Premier League listed over 100 breaches of its rules during the nine-season period, and the club released an official statement in response saying they are “surprised” by the allegations, given the “extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials” they have provided but “welcome the review” and “ look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
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No retrospective punishment for Man City
During the time frame of the alleged breaches from Manchester City (2009/10 to 2017/28), the club won a lot of trophies.
City won the Premier League three times (2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18) and finished inside the top five in every season. They also came runners-up in 2012/13 and 2014/15, won the FA Cup in 2011, and the League Cup in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
However, if they are found guilty of breaching the Premier League financial rules there should not be any retrospective punishment meaning their titles and honours will all still count.
What are the possible consequences for Man City?
Manchester City have been referred to an independent commission who will determine whether the club have broken Premier League rules.
If the club are found guilty, punishment could range from a points deduction to a possible exclusion from the Premier League.
Manchester City are expected to defend themselves against the charges but have yet to respond.
Man City charged with over 100 breaches of financial rules after four-year investigation
Manchester City have been charged by the Premier League with numerous breaches of their financial rules.
It follows a four-year investigation into the finances of the current Premier League champions.
In an unprecedented statement, the Premier League alleged that the breaches came over nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018. Manchester City won the Premier League three times during that period.
The Premier League said the alleged breaches referred to “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position” in particular its “revenue”, “sponsorship revenue” and “operating costs”.
Man City charged with over 100 breaches after four-year investigation
The Premier League alleges City broke several regulations between 2009 and 2018 and the club could now face sanctions including a possible points deduction
Man City face charges over finanical rules breach
Here are the sections of the rules that the Premier League say Manchester City breached:
- Seasons 2009/10 to 2017/18 - rules that required provision, 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.
- Seasons 2009/10 to 2012/13 - rules requiring full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager.
- Seasons 2013/14 to 2017/18 - rules requiring club to comply with Uefa’s’ regulations, including club licensing and financial fair play.
- Seasons 2015/16 to 2017/18 inclusive - rules on profitability and sustainability,
- From December 2018 to date - requiring club to cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations, including by providing documents and information in the utmost good faith.
Premier League accuse Man City of breaching financial rules
This is not the first time Manchester City’s finances have been called into question.
In 2020 City had a two-year ban from European club competitions overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), after Uefa had ruled that City committed "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations between 2012 and 2016.
That period of time is covered in the Premier League’s investigation as well.
Premier League accuse Man City of breaching financial rules
The Premier League has charged Manchester City with breaking its financial rules.
A long-running investigation into the club’s finances found alleged breaches of the rules between 2009 and 2018, and the report accused City of not co-operating with the investigation from December 2018.
The Premier League has referred the club to an independent commission over the investigation.
In a statement released on this morning the Premier League said City breached rules requiring them to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.
This information included the club’s revenue, including sponsorship revenue and operating costs.
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