Manchester City could be facing a possible points deduction after the Premier League ‘referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission’, the league confirmed in a statement today.
The breaches, which are numerous, stretch across a nine year period and essentially accuse the Cityzens of dodging financial fair play, inflating sponsorship deals and paying inappropriate amounts to both players and managers, with the majority of the breaches “in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs”.
It follows a four-year investigation that has been ongoing around their rise to prominence, with many questioning how they funded such massive investment without external support that went above and beyond that which UEFA allow.
BREAKING: Man City charged by Premier Leaue with numerous breaches of financial rules following a four-year investigation.
This is unprecedented: pic.twitter.com/ZGzdX210qP— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) February 6, 2023
“The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website”, the Premier League statement adds.
However, among the possible sanctions if the club are indeed found guilty, as the Premier League suspects them to be, is a points deduction, though it remains to be seen whether a decision can be reached in the coming months for it to apply to this season, or if it would carry over to future seasons.
Also possible is a transfer ban, as Chelsea experienced during their time navigating financial fair play rules in 2019.
City have won the Premier League four times in the last five seasons, as well as lifting numerous Carabao Cup and FA Cups during the period in question.
