Longer running than even the FA’s inquiry in the Lucas Paqueta yellow cards for bets saga, the verdict has finally been published in the Football Association’s inquiry into Manchester City’s financial breaches.
Following a three year investigation, the charges, laid against City in 2023 have finally been determined.
According toDavid Ornstein in the NYTimes
“Manchester City have been found guilty on almost all of the charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.“
“Guilty” for one hundred and fourteen of the 115 charges, apparently. A pretty savage indictment. However, as Ornstein states, this is only the start of it. If the original inquiry has taken up three years, one can only wonder at the legal complexities of the appeals which lie ahead.
Because, of course, far reaching consequences lie ahead should Manchester City lose their appeals.
Claims from other teams who lost out – including Championship rivals – and who knows, relegated sides? Who can say.. City placed last? Points deductions? Automatic relegations? The mind boggles.
As The NY Times confirms:
“The sanctions have not been decided, with all possibilities remaining on the table, and City are expected to appeal.”
So, in reality, everything has been decided, but nothing has been decided. Don’t hold your breath for a punishment that fits the crime being imposed any time soon but the eventual repercussions could be very far reaching… one day.
How about these super funded teams breakaway and do a super league just for themselves the Premier league folds and disappears and we return to the championship as our too league with no VAR
Begs the question ‘What about the unproven charge?’.
Manchester City could take worse advice than taking the FA to task concerning the vexatious allegations of this breaking of the rules. If this case is not watertight and correct, then there may be 114 other instances of malicious action to be contested and reviewed.
I think they will be relegated and replaced by the team that finished 18th last year 😊⚒️⚒️
Did anyone other than City fans ever once seriously doubt it.
love a rhetorical question, John…so i won’t be answering it. the only surprise is that they’re innocent on 1 count!
When they finally agree some sort of fine and a minimal point deduction the additional money will then be cycled back into increased bonuses for PL executives. Any thoughts of litigation by other clubs (a la Sheffield United) will be stymied be the historical nature of the offenses.