Possible penalties for Man City if they are found guilty of breaching financial rules.
Possible penalties for Man City if they are found guilty of breaching financial rules. Manchester City and the Premier League are about to begin their case concerning alleged violations of financial regulations. If Manchester City is found guilty of these charges, they could face significant penalties that might affect their participation in both domestic and European competitions.
The Premier League charged Manchester City in February 2023 over past allegations that the team had violated the league’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules from 2009 to 2018. The club vigorously refutes these allegations, and an independent commission is tasked with reviewing the case. The hearing into the charges against the club is scheduled to start today.
Potential Penalties:
- Point Deductions: One of the most immediate and impactful penalties could be the deduction of league points. This would not only affect the club’s standing in the Premier League but could also influence their qualification for future competitions. Hitting Manchester City with points deductions across multiple seasons if they are found guilty of breaching financial rules has been proposed.
- Fines: Manchester City could be hit with substantial financial fines. Given the scale of the allegations, these fines could run into tens of millions of pounds, affecting the club’s financial stability and transfer activities.
- Transfer Bans: The club could face restrictions on its ability to buy or sell players during transfer windows. This could hamper their competitive edge and long-term squad planning.
- Expulsion from Competitions: In extreme cases, Manchester City could be barred from participating in domestic or European tournaments. This would be a severe blow, especially considering their regular presence in the UEFA Champions League.
- Revocation of Titles: There is also the possibility of stripped titles or awards if the breaches are found to have influenced past competitions. This could alter the historical record and legacy of the club.
- Management Sanctions: Key individuals, including executives and board members, could face bans or other sanctions if they are found personally responsible for the breaches.
Man City’s 115 FFP Charges
The hearing is scheduled to start today and last for two months. The Premier League and City will present their cases in-depth in their lengthy legal representations.
Below is a full list of the 115 charges Man City are charged with:
1. In respect of each of Seasons 2009/10 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those seasons that required provision by a member club to the Premier League, in the utmost good faith, of accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position, in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs, namely:
(a) for Season 2009/10, Premier League Rules B.13, C.71, C.72, C.75 (amended to C.79 from 10 September 2009 for the remainder of Season 2009/10) and C.80;
(b) for Season 2010/11, Premier League Rules B.13, C.78, C.79, C.86 and C.87;
(c) for Season 2011/12, Premier League Rules B.13, E.3, 4, E.11 and E.12;
(d) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11 and E.12;
(e) for Season 2013/14, Premier League Rules 15, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.49;
(f) for Season 2014/15, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50;
(g) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50;
(h) for Season 2016/17, Premier League Rules16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.51; and
(i) for Season 2017/18, Premier League Rules B.16, 3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.51.
2. In respect of:
(a) each of Seasons 2009/10 to 2012/13 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager, namely:
(1) for Seasons 2009/10 to 2011/12 inclusive, Premier League Rules Q.7 and Q.8; and
(2) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules P.7 and P.8; and
(b) each of Seasons 2010/11 to 2015/16 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons requiring a member club to include full details of player remuneration in its relevant contracts with its players, namely:
(1) for Seasons 2010/11 and 2011/12, Premier League Rules K.12 and K.20;
(2) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules T.12 and T.20;
(3) for Seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15, Premier League Rules T.12 and T.19; and
(4) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules T.13 and T.20.
3. In respect of each of Seasons 2013/14 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons requiring a member club to comply with UEFA’s regulations, including UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, namely:
(a) for Season 2013/14, Premier League Rule B.14.6; and
(b) for Seasons 2014/15 to 2017/18 inclusive, Premier League Rule B.15.6.
4. In respect of each of the Seasons 2015/16 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those Seasons on Profitability and Sustainability, namely:
(a) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules E.52 to E.60; and
(b) for Seasons 2016/17 and 2017/18, Premier League Rules E.53 to E.60.
5. In respect of the period from December 2018 to date, the Premier League Rules applicable in the relevant Seasons requiring a member club to cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations, including by providing documents and information to the Premier League in the utmost good faith, namely:
(a) for Season 2018/19, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13;
(b) for Season 2019/20, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13;
(c) for Season 2020/21, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13;
(d) for Season 2021/22, Premier League Rules B.15, B.18, W.1, W.2, W.15 and W.16; and
(e) for Season 2022/23, Premier League Rules B.15, B.18, W.1, W.2, W.15 and W.16. 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.
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