Manchester City have ‘welcomed’ the review announced by the Premier League this morning amid their charges of 100 breaches of financial fair play, a statement has announced.
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.
However, Manchester City refute these allegations, and have issued a statement to claim that they ‘look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all’ in their favour.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with”, the club wrote.
“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”
It has now been left to an independent commission to rule on the breaches, and if found guilty, the club could face points deductions, relegation and also face being stripped of its titles, with the trio among the worst punishments on offer, with it being described as “the biggest scandal to have hit the Premier League”.
