16 September 2024 , 14:03
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A verdict into Man City’s 115 charges is not expected until early next year, but if they lose, their record-breaking success and the titles they have won over the years will be irrevocably tainted
Manchester City’s ’trial of the century’ into alleged financial doping begins today, with everything achieved by the country’s dominant football force on the line.
The Premier League have hit City with 115 charges of financial wrongdoing over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, with the hearing – held in secret – set to last up to 10 weeks.
A verdict is not expected until early next year, but if City lose, their record-breaking success and the titles they have amassed over recent years will be irrevocably tainted.
Since Sheikh Mansour’s seismic takeover in 2008, City have won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
But all of those glittering achievements hang under an ugly cloud of suspicion, one that will only go away if the club is successful in clearing its name before the independent commission.
Among the 115 charges are multiple allegations of subverting the regulations by failing to provide accurate financial information to the Premier League.
City have denied all of the charges against them and have said they welcome the chance to clear the name once and for all, citing a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their case.
If found guilty, City face a range of punishments, including expulsion from the Premier League, a points deduction that could see them relegated or significant financial penalties.
Yet if City are successful in clearing their name, questions will be asked of the Premier League and its ability to enforce its strict financial regulations and ensure all clubs adhere to them.
In 2018, German publication Der Spiegel published leaked documents, including emails, it claimed showed financial wrongdoing by City, including inflating the true market value of sponsorship revenue to comply with financial rules.
That alleged practice was suggested as a way for City to meet UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, introduced in 2011, and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, which became effective a year later, with both sets of regulations limiting the losses clubs can make.
City were also accused of further financial irregularities, namely payments to former manager Roberto Mancini and some players, that did not go through the club’s official accounts, enabling them to comply with spending restrictions set by the authorities.
In 2014, City were fined £49million, £32m of which was suspended, and had their Champions League squad capped at 21 players, for failing to meet UEFA’s FFP rules. City’s spending in the transfer market was also capped, as was their wage bill.
In 2020, UEFA banned City from Europe for two years for overstating its sponsorship revenue and failing to cooperate with the investigation. City won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which said the alleged breaches fell outside the five-year limit for prosecution.