Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and manager Pep Guardiola celebrate with the trophy after winning the Premier League in 2022
(Picture: REUTERS)Manchester City have been charged by the Premier League with multiple alleged breaches of the top-flight’s Financial Fair Play regulations, plunging the club into potential crisis.
Following a four-year investigation into the champions, the League announced charges relating to over 100 alleged rule breaches over nine seasons from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
The Premier League has referred the raft of alleged breaches to an independent commission who will now decide how to proceed, with potential penalties including points deductions or even expulsion from the division.
The alleged breaches surround player and manager contracts and the remuneration declared in City’s financial accounts, “in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs”.
They have also been charged with failing to cooperate with the investigation, which has been carried out by an independent commission - with these charges specifically applying to the period between 2018-19 and the current campaign.
City have additionally been charged by the Premier League over its alleged breach of UEFA regulations after they were found to have fallen foul of Club Licensing and FFP regulation in Europe.
The club are accused of having breached Premier League rules requiring provision “in utmost good faith” of “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.
They also allegedly broke rules “requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager” related to seasons 2009-10 to 2012-13 inclusive.
Their manager between December 2009 and May 2013 was current Italy boss Roberto Mancini. City have won six championships since the Abu Dhabi-led takeover in 2008 and the reigning champions are currently involved in another title race, albeit trailing Arsenal by five points after Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham.
The Premier League said in a statement: “In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission.”
The statement continued: “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.”
City have now responded to the charges, releasing their own statement in which they registered their “surprise” at the news and said they welcomed the chance to put the matter to rest “once and for all”.
“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,” read City’s statement.
“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.”
