According to a report by the BBC on September 25, an independent committee in the UK ruled that 114 of the 115 financial violations alleged against the Premier League giants Manchester City club are valid. The Premier League has refused to comment on the ruling, while Manchester City club stated that the relevant procedures are still ongoing, and there are still 'important steps' to be completed.
In February 2023, the Premier League officially sued Manchester City, filing 115 charges related to financial disclosures during various periods from 2009 to 2023, player and coach salaries, UEFA financial rules, Premier League profitability and sustainability rules, as well as aspects related to investigations. These charges were handed over to an independent committee for investigation.
According to reports, out of 115 allegations, 54 involve failure to provide accurate financial information, 14 involve failure to provide accurate information on players and coaches' salaries, 7 involve violations of Premier League rules regarding profitability and sustainability, 5 involve violations of UEFA financial fairness rules, and 35 involve non-cooperation with Premier League investigations.
The hearings for the investigation began in September 2024 and concluded in December of the same year, both held behind closed doors.
After investigation, the independent committee ruled that all but one of the 114 charges were established. The penalties have not yet been determined, but according to the British newspaper The Guardian, the charges faced by Manchester City are far greater than any previous disciplinary cases in English football. The club could face fines, points deductions from its league ranking, or even being expelled from the Premier League.
Manchester City club's home ground, Etihad Stadium. Visual China.
The Premier League has refused to comment on the ruling results on the grounds of confidentiality of the case.
Manchester City has always denied the accusations, asserting their innocence. A spokesman for Manchester City said: "The procedures related to the Premier League are still underway, and there are many important steps that need to be completed. These procedures must be kept strictly confidential. Therefore, the position of Manchester City Football Club remains consistent with the statement issued in February 2023."
Manchester City stated in their statement that the club has followed proper procedures for eight years, and has always expected the Premier League board and management to operate as an "independent, fair, and impartial" regulatory body, free from any influence from any party.
Regarding this incident, British Prime Minister Barnier responded on the 25th by saying: "People should not jump to conclusions. I know that there was a long negotiation between the club and the Premier League regarding this matter, and the process was full of controversy. Therefore, I believe that no conclusions should be drawn too quickly. Before reaching any conclusions, we need to carefully study the report prepared by the independent committee."
The Financial Times pointed out that the incident may intensify the tensions between the UK and the UAE, as Sheikh Mansur bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the vice president of the UAE, acquired Manchester City Football Club in 2008. Previously, Mansur had pushed for the acquisition of the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, which led to the British government introducing regulations prohibiting foreign governments from owning British newspapers.
It is expected that Manchester City will initiate an appeal process. Sports lawyers say that any appeals and legal challenges could take several years to resolve. Even if the ruling is upheld, it is not ruled out that other clubs may file further legal actions against Manchester City.
