Manchester City Faces 115 FFP Charges
Manchester City, the Premier League’s reigning treble winners, are facing a massive challenge with 115 charges of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. These charges span a nine-year period, from 2009 to 2018.
Background on Financial Fair Play (FFP)
Established in 2009 by UEFA, FFP aims to prevent clubs from overspending. It ensures financial stability by requiring clubs to balance their income and expenditure over a three-year period. The Premier League adopted FFP in 2011.
Manchester City’s Alleged Breaches
The Premier League accuses Manchester City of failing to comply with FFP regulations in several ways:
- Inaccurate Financial Information (2009-2018): City is alleged to have provided inaccurate financial information to the league for nearly a decade. This includes sponsorship deals and operating costs, such as player salaries.
- Misreported Compensation (Multiple Seasons): The charges claim City misreported the compensation paid to managers upon their departure.
- Inflated Sponsorships: City is accused of inflating the value of sponsorships connected to their owners.
- Reduced Player Salaries: Allegedly, City introduced third parties to pay a portion of player and coach salaries, effectively reducing their reported costs.
These accusations were first reported by German outlet Der Spiegel in November 2018.
Timeline of Events
- November 2018: Der Spiegel publishes articles alleging City’s FFP breaches.
- March 2019: UEFA launches a formal investigation.
- May 2019: City criticizes the investigation and appeals.
- November 2019: CAS grants City’s appeal, citing UEFA’s lack of proper procedure.
- February 2020: UEFA announces a two-year European competition ban and a £26.8 million fine for City.
- July 2020: City successfully appeals the ban, only facing an £8.9 million fine.
- February 2023: The Premier League charges City with 115 FFP breaches.
- Autumn 2024 (Expected): The trial begins.
- Summer 2025 (Expected): A verdict is reached.
Trial and Potential Punishments
The private trial between City and the Premier League is set for Autumn 2024. The verdict, expected by Summer 2025, could result in one of eight potential punishments:
- Formal Warning
- Fines (varying severity)
- Points Deduction (varying severity)
- Refusal of UEFA Competition Revenue
- Restriction on Registering New Players for UEFA Competitions
- Limit on Squad Size for UEFA Competitions
- Disqualification from Current UEFA Competition
- Exclusion from Future UEFA Competitions
The severity of the punishment will depend on the specific breaches proven against Manchester City.
