ICYMI: Manchester City are currently under scrutiny for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, with a decision on their fate expected soon.
Back in February 2023, the Premier League formally charged City with 115 violations of FFP rules. The club has consistently denied these allegations. The trial, which commenced in September and was anticipated to last 10 weeks, is expected to conclude next week, with a verdict likely to be delivered in the New Year.
The clock is ticking for Manchester City as they await a decision on whether they’ve broken the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The stakes? A possible shake-up of English football and plenty of drama off the pitch.
The hearing, which centers on a whopping 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations, is set to conclude next week after starting back in September. But while the verdict won’t land until the New Year, City’s rivals aren’t wasting any time.
Big hitters like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham are already lining up their legal options. According to The Times, these clubs have filed notices to secure their right to seek compensation if City is found guilty of bending—or breaking—the rules.
They’re apparently worried about missing the window to act, thanks to a six-year statute of limitations that might trace back to 2018. That’s when German magazine Der Spiegel first dropped explosive allegations that kicked off the Premier League’s investigation.
If City is found guilty of the more serious charges, these clubs could push for compensation through the league’s arbitration process. And let’s be real, the ripple effects could be huge—potentially even rewriting football history. Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho recently joked that he might deserve a Premier League winner’s medal (and a nice bonus) if City’s past titles are stripped.
The allegations are serious. City is accused of fudging financial reports for nine seasons from 2009 to 2018, failing to fully disclose ex-manager Roberto Mancini’s salary from 2009 to 2013, and not being transparent about player payments between 2010 and 2016. Oh, and they’re also accused of stonewalling investigators from 2018 to 2023.
For their part, City has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing. The club insists they’ve got “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to back up their innocence.
So, what’s next? We’ll have to wait for the New Year to see how this saga unfolds. But one thing’s for sure: whether you’re a City fan or not, this case is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in Premier League history.
