Manchester City charged by Premier League for alleged breaches of financial rules
Following a four-year inquiry into their business practices, Manchester City has been charged with several financial rule violations by the Premier League.
The team is accused of breaking league regulations that provide for the transmission of “correct financial information that gives a truthful and fair perspective of the club’s financial status” in “the utmost good faith.”
According to the league, precise financial data was needed for “income (including sponsorship money), its linked parties, and its running expenditures.”
Regarding the seasons 2009–10 to 2012–13 inclusive, the second set of alleged violations is connected to the requirement that “a member club shall include full details of manager salary in its applicable contracts with its manager.”
Between December 2009 and May 2013, Roberto Mancini, the current manager of Italy, managed the club.
The second set of alleged violations likewise pertains to the clubs’ obligations to include complete information on player compensation in the applicable contracts for the seasons 2010–11 to 2015–16, inclusive.
The third section covers alleged violations of Premier League regulations requiring clubs to adhere to UEFA financial fair play criteria from 2013–2014 to 2017–18.
The Premier League’s profitability and sustainability criteria from seasons 2015–16 to 2017–18 are included in the fourth set of suspected violations.
Finally, the club is accused of breaking league rules demanding that, starting in December 2018, member clubs cooperate with and support the Premier League’s investigations.
The Premier League has forwarded the alleged offenses to an independent panel after beginning its investigation in March 2019.
The Premier League issued the following statement in accordance with rule W.82.1: “In accordance with rule W.3.4, the Premier League acknowledges that it has referred a number of alleged violations of the Premier League rules by Manchester City Football Club to a commission today [February 6 2023].
“Commissions are not influenced by the Premier League or its participating teams. In accordance with Premier League rules W.19, W.20, and W.26, the independent head of the Premier League judicial panel will nominate the commission’s members.
According to Premier League rule W.82, the procedures before the commission will be secret and heard in private. The commission’s final award will be made public on the Premier League website in accordance with Premier League rule W.82.2.
In compliance with Premier League rule W.82.1, this confirmation is given. Until further notice, the Premier League will not comment further on this topic.
Man City was given a suspension by UEFA’s club financial control body (CFCB) in February 2020 for “serious breaches” of club licensing and financial fair play regulations. The suspension was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020, giving Man City a two-year reprieve from playing in European competition.
