The Premier League have confirmed they have found Manchester City guilty of a host of financial breaches dating from the 2009/10 season to 2017/18.
In an unprecented move the League have released a statement confirming the breaches. They will now be referred to an independent commission.
Should Man City be found guilty they could be on the receiving end of a number of sanctions including a points deduction. The statement accuses City of multiple breaches of regulations with total amount in three figures. Many of these are the same breaches but over many seasons.
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The statement said: “In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission.”
The Premier League opened the investigation in 2019 after German news outlet Der Spiegel published leaked documents relating to Man City's financial activities.
UEFA then banned the club from participating in the Champions League for two seasons in February 2020 because of what the governing body claimed was evidence of City "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts … between 2012 and 2016” - only for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn their decision upon appeal. City also had a €30m fine reduced to €10m.
City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and have described the leaking of documents as 'taken out of context' and "an attempt to damage the club's reputation".
Last November City announced they had recorded profits of around €40m and commercial takings of €345m, a 14 per cent year-on-year increase after announcing numerous new sponsorship deals.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak then used the publication of those financial results to provide rivals with an ominous warning. City, he said, would now “define new and unprecedented goals” as they “recognise the fundamental truth that continuously delivering football success for our fans will also continue to create value for our shareholders.”
Owing to the scale of accusations facing City, a final decision from the commission could take some time.
The Premier League statement added: "Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel, in accordance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
"The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website.
"This confirmation is made in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1. The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice."
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