Manchester City have been charged by the English Premier League for allegedly breaking financial rules more than 100 times.
It means the Abu Dhabi-owned club face an investigation into the financial running of the club that could see the current league champions face harsh penalties that potentially extend to the club being relegated from English football’s top flight and severe financial penalties.
Manchester City deny any wrongdoing and have welcomed any investigation.
Media reports in England suggest that if any serious breaches of Premier League rules are found then Manchester City will face the sternest penalties handed down to top teams.
There is, however, no precedent for anything on this scale in the English game.
Here’s what we know so far:
The Premier League statement in full:
Details of the Premier League Rules that the Club 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 B.16, E.3, E.4, E.11 and E.12;
- (e) for Season 2013/14, Premier League Rules B.15, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.49;
- (f) for Season 2014/15, Premier League Rules B.16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50;
- (g) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules B.16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50;
- (h) for Season 2016/17, Premier League Rules B.16, 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.
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.
What it means
The above statement from the Premier League does not identify any individual incident, nor does it identify any of the Manchester City players or managers it suspects of being part of alleged breaches.
However, the charge sheet does allege 101 separate breaches of competition rules.
According to the Premier League, Manchester City broke rules that require clubs to provide authorities with “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.
The information the Premier League requires contains details of club revenue, transfer dealings, operating costs and sponsorship.
The alleged breaches are said to have occurred between 2009 and 2018. Manchester City won three league titles in that time.
Manchester City’s statement in full
“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.”
What happens next?
On the pitch it will be business as normal for Manchester City. The club is pursuing a seventh title of the Premier League era and a first European Cup.
Off the pitch a long wait can be expected as the Premier League and Manchester City pursue the investigation.
No timeframe has been given by the league, but any outcome is expected to be preceded by lengthy delays. Club insider’s have already said manager pep Guardiola is “expected to leave the club” before any outcome is reached, according to media reports in the UK.
The Premier League has asked sports mediation expert murray Rosen KC to select an indipendent three-person panel to hear the charges brought about by the Premier League.
A minimum of one person on the independent panel must be a financial expert. The investigation will be private and findings are not expected to be heard for at least months, if not years.
After the three-person panel publishes its hearings both the Premier League and Manchester City can lodge an appeal.
An arbitration panel can also be brought in if the two sides are unable to find common ground, before the complaints could eventually end up in a high court case in the UK.
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