Following a four-year investigation, Premier League giants Manchester City have been charged with a series of breaches of financial rules.
The story was broken by Times (UK) journalist Martyn Ziegler who claims that a range of sanctions possible facing the Etihad Stadium club could include a points deductions if breaches are proved.
Since being taken over by the Abu Dhabi group in 2008, Manchester City have become one of football’s powerhouses thanks to considerable financial investment.
The arrival of the Gulf based owners heralded a new era of unprecedented success with the club winning six Premier League titles since the takeover.
Under the guidance of former Barcelona and Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, City won the Premier League in the 2017-18 season, becoming the only team in the competition history to attain 100 points in a single season. In 2018–19, they won four trophies, completing an unprecedented sweep of all domestic titles in England and becoming the first English men’s team to win the domestic treble.
The Champions League title remains ‘unfinished business’ for the Sky Blues after the 2021 final defeat to Chelsea in Porto.
Manchester City have been charged with a host of financial fair play breaches in an unprecedented move by the Premier League following a four-year investigation that was delayed on several occasions by legal challenges.
A statement from the league said alleged breaches were committed across nine different seasons beginning in 2009/10.
The Premier League opened their investigation in March 2019 and the charge sheet makes reference to every season from September of 2009/10 to the 2017/18 season.
In a statement, the Premier League said: “In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today [February 6 2023] referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club (Club) to a commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4.
“Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The members of the commission will be appointed by the independent chair of the Premier League judicial panel, in accordance with Premier League rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
“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.
“This confirmation is made in accordance with Premier League rule W.82.1. The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice.”
