(Football news) Manchester City have been accused of 101 breaches of Financial Fair Play rules by the Premier League, which has taken the reigning champions by “surprise” as per their statement. The breaches span from 2009/10 to 2017/18 and if found guilty, the Premier League could expel City and the English Football League would be under no obligation to take them, which means they could potentially play non-league football. City have won the Premier League six times in 11 years and there will not be much sympathy for them, especially by the so-called ‘big six’ if found guilty.
The breaches also include requirements for the club to include full details of player remuneration within the relevant contracts, for the seasons 2010-11 to 2015-16 inclusive. The third section deals with the Premier League requiring clubs to comply with UEFA financial fair play regulations, between 2013-14 to 2017-18.
Manchester City was banned from European football in 2020 for “serious breaches” of club licensing and financial fair play regulations, a decision that was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The fourth set of breaches involve the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules in seasons 2015-16 to 2017-18. The club have also been accused of breaching league rules requiring member clubs to cooperate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations.
In a statement, the Premier League said: “In accordance with Premier League rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today [February 6 2023] referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League rules by Manchester City Football Club to a commission under Premier League rule W.3.4. Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The members of the commission will be appointed by the independent chair of the Premier League judicial panel, in accordance with Premier League rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
“The proceedings before the commission will, in accordance with Premier League rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League rule W.82.2, the commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website. This confirmation is made in accordance with Premier League rule W.82.1. The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice.”
A statement released by Manchester City read “Manchester City FC 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.”
An independent commission is expected to be formed comprising three members, who will be selected by Murray Rosen KC, the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel. The three members can include any of the 15 members of the judicial panel, as well as non-members. The Premier League or Manchester City will be able to appeal the judgement, although the matter cannot be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Rosen will then appoint an appeal panel comprising new members. As things stand, City have been charged with 30 alleged number of breaches with regards to Premier League rules, 25 breaches of profit and sustainability rules, 8 breaches of manager remunerations and 50 breaches of accuracy of financial information.
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