The Premier League and Manchester City are about to square off over the latter’s 115 accusations of financial mismanagement, which the former completely refutes.
Manchester City could register a record fourth title lift this month amid their off-field battle with the Premier League (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
The Premier League and Manchester City are scheduled to face off in their Profit & Sustainability Rules hearing later this year; however, a specific date has not yet been revealed.
Richard Masters, the league’s chief executive, hinted last month that it would happen sooner rather than later but he did not provide any more details. Stefan Borson, a former financial advisor for Manchester City, feels that the Premier League would be better off losing the 115-charge case in order to prevent hurting its own rivals.
“They will just discredit their own Premier League if they bring this action and are successful against Manchester City,” he declared. “If they don’t… Your current stance is that the Premier League should now turn the tables.
“Taking it to the independent commission and losing might be in the Premier League’s best interests. The Premier League board will find it extremely challenging to try and unwind it at this point.”
Manchester City has promised to clear their name and has refuted all 115 of the charges, which include uncooperation and illegal funding. The complete list of the charges that City is said to have violated is as follows:
1. In respect of each of Seasons 2009/10 to 2017/18 inclusive, the Premier League Rules applicable in those seasons that required provision by a member club to the Premier League, in the utmost good faith, of accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position, in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs, namely: (a) for Season 2009/10, Premier League Rules B.13, C.71, C.72, C.75 (amended to C.79 from 10 September 2009 for the remainder of Season 2009/10) and C.80; (b) for Season 2010/11, Premier League Rules B.13, C.78, C.79, C.86 and C.87; (c) for Season 2011/12, Premier League Rules B.13, E.3, 4, E.11 and E.12; (d) for Season 2012/13, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11 and E.12; (e) for Season 2013/14, Premier League Rules 15, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.49; (f) for Season 2014/15, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50; (g) for Season 2015/16, Premier League Rules 16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.50; (h) for Season 2016/17, Premier League Rules16, E.3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.51; and (i) for Season 2017/18, Premier League Rules B.16, 3, E.4, E.11, E.12 and E.51.
2. With regard to: (a) every season from 2009/10 to 2012/13 that is inclusive, the Premier League Rules that apply in those seasons requiring a member club to include all relevant information about manager compensation in its contracts with its manager, specifically: (1) Premier League Rules Q.7 and Q.8 for seasons 2009/10 to 2011/12 inclusive; and (2) Premier League Rules P.7 and P.8 for seasons 2012/13; and (b) every season from 2010/11 to 2015/16 that is inclusive, the Premier League Rules that apply in those seasons requiring a member club to include all relevant information about player compensation in its contracts with players, specifically: (1) Premier League Rules K.12 and K.20 for seasons 2010/11 and 2011/12; (2) Premier League Rules T.12 and T.20 for seasons 2012/13; (3) for seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15, Premier League Rules
3. The Premier League Rules that apply to each of the seasons from 2013–14 to 2017–18 that mandate that a member club abide by UEFA’s rules, such as the Financial Fair Play and Club Licensing Regulations, are as follows: (a) Premier League Rule B.14.6 for the season from 2013–14 to 2017–18; and (b) Premier League Rule B.15.6 for the seasons from 2014–15 to 2017–18.
4. The Premier League Rules on Profitability and Sustainability that are applicable for each of the Seasons 2015/16 to 2017/18, inclusive, are as follows: (a) Premier League Rules E.52 to E.60 for Season 2015/16; and (b) Premier League Rules E.53 to E.60 for Seasons 2016/17 and 2017/18.
5. With regard to the time frame spanning from December 2018 to the present, the Premier League Rules that apply in the relevant Seasons mandate that a member club assist and collaborate with the Premier League in its investigations, including by supplying documents and information in good faith. These rules are as follows: (a) for Season 2018/19, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13; (b) for Season 2019/20, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13; (c) for Season 2020/21, Premier League Rules B.16, B.19, W.1, W.2, W.12 and W.13; (d) for Season 2021/22, Premier League Rules B.15, B.18, W.1, W.2, W.15 and W.16; and (e) for Season 2022/23, Premier League Rules B.15, B.18, W.1, W.2, W.15 and W.16. Commissions operate independently of member clubs and the Premier League. In compliance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20, and W.26, the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel will appoint the members of the Commission.
Premier League Rule W.82 stipulates that the Commission’s proceedings shall be private and confidential. The Commission’s final decision will be made public on the Premier League website in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.2.
