Reports Say Man City Broke Financial Rules

The case began in 2018, when the German publication Der Spiegel released leaked emails that were said to have been sent between senior City executives. The documents suggested that the club, which has been owned by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group since 2008, had disguised its owner's money as sponsorship payments from Abu Dhabi companies such as the airline Etihad. This made it look as if the club was staying within limits on how much money it could lose. There were also claims of secret payments to former manager Roberto Mancini. City deny any wrongdoing, and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told fans the club was confident it could prove its innocence.

Possible punishments include fines, points deductions and even expulsion from the Premier League. Some critics want City to lose the league titles they won in 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says many people think a points deduction is the most likely result. Tony Pulis, whose Stoke City team lost the 2011 FA Cup (Football Association Challenge Cup) final to City, said he felt "cheated", and reports say rival clubs have asked lawyers about compensation. However, City are expected to appeal, so nobody knows when the case will finally end.