Man City 115 costs replace as potential FFP factors penalty ‘inadequate’

On Sep 17, 2024

The independent hearing over Manchester City‘s alleged 115 violations of Premier League‘s financial rules kicked off on Monday.

City are accused of breaching FFP regulations over a nine-year span, starting in 2009 with the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group and continuing until 2018. The hearing is expected to last approximately two months, but the decision is not anticipated to be disclosed until at least spring 2025.

City deny any wrongdoing, but should the Premier League triumph in the legal battle, the repercussions for Pep Guardiola‘s champions could be severe. A deduction of up to 100 points has been suggested, as well as potential relegation from the top tier, although this is still a distant possibility at this point.

Initially, City were charged with 54 instances of failing to provide accurate financial data from 2009/10 to 2017/18. They also allegedly failed to provide precise details about player and manager payments on 14 occasions from 2009/10 to 2017/18. In addition, City face five charges related to their alleged failure to adhere to UEFA’s regulations, including financial fair play (FFP), from 2013/14 to 2017/18.

Seven more charges are for claims they broke the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) rules from 2015/16 to 2017/18, while the remaining 35 charges are linked to allegations of not cooperating with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to February 2023.

A shadow has been cast over Manchester City's accomplishments as the investigation into their alleged wrongdoing continues — A shadow has been cast over Manchester City’s accomplishments as the investigation into their alleged wrongdoing continues
(Image: Getty Images)

City’s rivals are said to have called a mere points deduction ‘insufficient’ if the club is found guilty of the 115 charges they’re facing. City’s reputation hangs in the balance at this ‘era-defining’ hearing, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The Telegraph reports some Premier League teams believe a points deduction – even one relegating them to the Championship – wouldn’t be fitting if City are found guilty of most or all of the charges, given the extent of the ‘cheating’ that would have been demonstrated.

However, City chiefs are said to have reassured their players the club will not lose what’s been dubbed the ‘trial of the century’ against the Premier League. Aymeric Laporte, who left City last summer for Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr, disclosed that players were told there was nothing to fret about.

Laporte told the Daily Mail: “When I was there and the news broke, the sporting director [Txiki Begiristain] and the CEO [Ferran Soriano] came and told all the players and staff that we can all be very calm because not one rule has been broken by Man City.

“They told us everything was fine so that’s why we all think City will be fine. I don’t think there will be any issues. Like Pep Guardiola always says, if something wrong has been done, they will have to pay for it.”

Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports a number of clubs are up in arms over the hush-hush nature of City’s alleged 115 FFP rule breaches. The proceedings are shrouded in secrecy, taking place behind closed doors in London before an anonymous trio of adjudicators, as per Section W of the Premier League’s regulations.

The only crumbs thrown to the public are a scant rundown of the implicated rules and the seasons involved.