City Football Group Faces Turbulent Week: Fan Fury, Relegation Woes, and Transfer Investigations
The City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester City, endured another challenging week as tensions flared at their French club, Troyes.
Troyes Fans Erupt in Frustration
Troyes supporters have never fully embraced CFG’s ownership, and a dismal Ligue 2 campaign reached a boiling point on Friday. With the team facing a potential second relegation in as many years under CFG, fans bombarded the pitch with flares in the final minute of their match against Valenciennes.
The game was subsequently abandoned, and Troyes now faces disciplinary action that could condemn them to relegation to the third tier.
😡'Merci City!'
🧨Fans of Man City-owned Troyes absolutely lose it as their club nears relegation to France's third tierpic.twitter.com/Khl2wYGG3M
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) May 4, 2024
This incident reflects the deep frustration brewing amongst Troyes fans, who feel the club has been treated as a “third-class citizen” by the Premier League giants.
Record signing Savio has never played for Troyes, instead being loaned to Girona in pursuit of Champions League qualification. A deal is already in place for Savio to join Manchester City in the summer, highlighting the focus on bolstering the main club at the expense of the French team.
Transfer Irregularities Cloud Girona’s Future
Adding to CFG’s woes, Girona, another club within their portfolio, faces a potential investigation over transfer irregularities. The signing of Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk from Dnipro is under scrutiny, with the ultimate sanction potentially being relegation for the Spanish side.
This would be a significant blow for Girona, who are currently pushing for Champions League qualification. CFG owns 47% of the club, with Pep Guardiola’s brother, Pere Guardiola, holding an additional 16% stake.
Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play Charges Remain Unresolved
The ongoing saga of Manchester City’s 115 Financial Fair Play (FFP) charges continues to hang over CFG. The outcome of this investigation remains uncertain as reported by Sports Buddy, but it represents a significant threat to the organization’s future success.
This turbulent week for CFG highlights the challenges they face in managing a network of clubs across Europe. Fan discontent, potential sanctions, and ongoing financial investigations create a climate of uncertainty for the footballing group.
