English champions Manchester City charged by the Premier League over financial irregularities

The ‘chickens have come home to roost’! English champions Manchester City have been charged by the Premier League for breaching financial rules. City are accused of breaching financial rules over 100 times over a period of nine years. In fact, this isn’t the first time the club has faced allegations of financial doping.

The last decade’s most successful English football club, have faced multiple allegations of financial fair play irregularities over the last few years. A period in which they dethroned their more illustrious local neighbours Manchester United as the most dominant force in English football. Between 2011- 2022 they won an incredible six top-division titles. But in 2018 German publication Der Spiegel revealed in an exposé called Football Leaks that Man City had disguised unauthorised funding from their Abu Dhabi owners as sponsorships. UEFA reopened an investigation following the report, and City were hit with a two-year ban in European competitions. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the ban in 2020 claiming that they could not find conclusive evidence despite City’s “blatant disregard” for UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and imposed a fine of €10 million instead.

It essentially meant City were let off with a slap on the wrist. But the latest charges are by the Premier League, and this could prove to be a little too complex to manoeuvre out of considering the sheer scale and size of the charges. Of course, these might not be too problematic if the Premier League and the FA decide on just imposing fines because money is not a major obstacle for City. The club has denied any wrongdoing and released an official statement.

"Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, 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."

Unlike the UEFA investigation brought into effect impromptu in the wake of the exposé, the Premier League has reportedly conducted a four-year investigation into the matter. And if found guilty, they could face fines, points deduction, or even expulsion from the Premier League. It would be the biggest sanction in the league’s history if the changes stick. The period between 2009-2018 has been scrutinised by the Premier League, with irregularities including remunerations for managers and players. It has also been revealed that City will not be able to appeal to the CAS as per the Premier League rules.