The Premier League has sent Manchester City to an independent commission due to suspected violations of rules between 2009 and 2018. The league claims that City has not been cooperative since the investigation began in December 2018.
Despite this, the club won their sixth Premier League title last season, following their 2008 acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group. The commission has the power to impose consequences such as fines, reductions in points, and exclusion from the Premier League.
The Premier League stated in a statement that City failed to follow regulations by not presenting “accurate financial information that provides a transparent and accurate view of the club’s financial status”.
Manchester City have released a statement after being charged for breaching Premier League financial rules 📄
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 6, 2023
All the ongoing updates on the story ⤵️#BBCFootball
The information in question involves club revenue, including sponsorship income and operating expenses.
Additionally, the Premier League alleges that Manchester City broke rules regarding the disclosure of manager salaries during Roberto Mancini’s tenure from 2009-10 to 2012-13, as well as player salaries from 2010-11 to 2015-16.
The league states that Manchester City breached regulations imposed by both UEFA, including Financial Fair Play (FFP), from 2013-14 to 2017-18, and Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Manchester City has consistently denied any financial wrongdoing and claimed that the information published by Der Spiegel and obtained from Football Leaks was incomplete. When UEFA started their case, Manchester City expressed doubt in the investigation and immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a negative outcome, where they were ultimately cleared.
Simon Stone, BBC Sports
In 2020, Uefa found City guilty of serious violations of FFP between 2012 and 2016. However, the ban on participating in European competitions was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport later that year. Uefa launched its investigation into City after leaked documents published in November 2018 by German newspaper Der Spiegel suggested the club had inflated the value of a sponsorship agreement.
When the Premier League started their investigation, Manchester City stated that the accusations were completely false d that the information in Der Spiegel was obtained illegally through hacking and the publication of Manchester City emails taken out of context. At this time, the club has not yet issued a statement regarding the charges made by the Premier League.
Man City’s response to Premier League allegations. pic.twitter.com/OA31TyRwBG
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 6, 2023
Man City statement on Premier League Accusation of violating financial regulations
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier LeaguerRules, 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.”
