Liverpool is anticipating the response to Manchester City’s purported financial rule violations in the Premier League.
Manchester City fans unveil a banner with the three trophies from their treble winning season (Image: 2023 Visionhaus)
With their 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, Manchester City is getting closer to winning the Premier League for the fourth time in as many seasons.
With their three points in the capital, Pep Guardiola’s team moved one point clear of Arsenal and put themselves in prime position to win the title once more.
Naturally, this has happened in the context of City’s 115 charges, which were initially made public in February 2023, for alleged financial rule violations. The Sky Blues have vehemently refuted any misconduct.
A summary of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules violations that the Citizens have been accused of is provided below.
54-Inaccurate financial information provided From 2009–10 to 2017–18.
14-Inaccurate information about player and manager payments from 2009–10 to 2017–18 is not provided.
5-Dysfunction in adhering to the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations of the European Union from 2013–14 to 2017–18.
7. Violating the Premier League’s PSR regulations from 2015–16 to 2017–18.
35. Noncompliance with Premier League inquiries from December 2018 to February 2023.
Although it is unclear when a decision will be made, rival supporters are waiting for the final word on any punishment that could be meted out to City. “The Premier League have indicated that a hearing is coming in the next few months, we expect,” said Rob Harris, sports correspondent for Sky News, in an update on when the hearing might take place.
The “near future” will see a hearing on City’s case, according to a date announced earlier this year by Premier League CEO Richard Masters. Masters made the following statement during a press conference for the European Leagues in London at the end of April: “We can’t comment on the case; the date is set. The matter will eventually come to an end on its own.”
Masters also addressed the January issue, explaining why Everton and Nottingham Forest’s financial cases had been settled much sooner: “I can [understand supporters’ frustration about the length of time over the probe].” I can, but all I would say is that they are very different charges. Any club, including the reigning champions, would be in the same situation as Nottingham Forest or Everton if they had been found in violation of the spending regulations for 2023.
In the event that City is found guilty, they risk severe fines, losing points, being eliminated from the Premier League, or losing their titles.
