Man City Reportedly Found Guilty of Financial Breaches

The case has its roots in 2018, when the German publication Der Spiegel released leaked emails said to have been sent between senior City executives. The documents suggested that the club, owned since 2008 by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group, had disguised money from its owner as sponsorship income from Abu Dhabi companies such as the airline Etihad, so that it appeared to stay within limits on how much money clubs could lose. Further allegations involved secret payments to former manager Roberto Mancini. The charges include failing to provide accurate financial information, breaking the league's profit and sustainability rules, and, in 35 cases, failing to co-operate with the league's investigation. City deny any wrongdoing. In a letter to fans, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted the process "still has a long way to run" and said the club remained confident of proving its innocence. In 2020, City overturned a two-year ban from European competitions imposed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations).

Possible punishments range from fines and points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League, and critics want City stripped of the trophies won during that period, including the league titles of 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says many see a points deduction as the most likely outcome. Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis, whose team lost the 2011 FA Cup (Football Association Challenge Cup) final to City, said he felt "cheated", while rival clubs have reportedly sought legal advice about claiming compensation. A precedent exists: Everton were ordered to pay Burnley £35 million over a single breach of the rules. Nevertheless, City are widely expected to appeal, and it remains impossible to say when the saga will finally end.