By Humberto Viera
Sep 16, 2024, 11:44 AM EDT
The trial of Manchester City, accused of 115 alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018, begins on Monday and is expected to last approximately ten weeks. The proceedings have captured the attention of the football world due to the possible sanctions that could be imposed.
According to EFE, after a four-year investigation by the Premier League, charges were filed in February 2023, which will now be reviewed by an independent commission.
Possible sanctions for the northern English club, which has also been accused of failing to cooperate with the investigation, could range from a fine to loss of points, or even expulsion from the Premier League.
The allegations relate to financial information provided by the club, including the value of its sponsorship deals, details of player and coaching staff salaries, as well as its compliance with financial fair play rules imposed by both UEFA and the Premier League.
Manchester City, owned by Sheikh Mansur bin Zayed al Nahyan through the Abu Dhabi United Group, have denied all allegations. The club have expressed their willingness to have an independent commission “impartially examine the irrefutable evidence” which they say supports their innocence.
The team, which has won the last four editions of the Premier League, was already sanctioned by UEFA in 2019 with a two-year ban from European competitions. However, that sanction was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which reduced the punishment to a fine of 10 million euros (just over $11 million).
The ruling, which could be appealed in the UK, is expected to be handed down sometime in 2025. British media have suggested that this “trial of the century” in the Premier League could even influence diplomatic relations between the UK and the United Arab Emirates, where Sheikh Mansur holds the position of vice president.
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