Manchester City have issued a response to the Premier League claiming they are surprised by findings published in a statement from the regulators earlier in the day that claimed the club had breached Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. City were alleged to have breached as many as 100 charges, leading to an investigation spanning nearly five years.
The full Premier League statement reads: "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 (Club) to a Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4."
Adding after five bullet points detailing the alleged offences: "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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It may take a while for there to be a result, but should the independent panel find the club has committed all or some of the offences, then punishments as severe as points deductions could be applied.
City later replied with their own statement, which reads: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
"The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
It comes after four years of investigation from the league surrounding the Manchester club after German publication Der Spiegel reported on documents from Football Leaks. The report claimed several breaches were made by the club which ultimately led to UEFA placing a two-year European ban on the club, with a fine on top.
The governing body's own rules worked against them though, as the time frame they charged them with wasn't able to be ruled on, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturning the decision and reducing the fine. City have since continued their success in league and cup competitions and off the field have begun to compete with the best in the world.
Record revenues were posted by the club for last year, beating every other side in world football, despite the relatively short period of time they have been established at the top. It remains to be seen how this saga will end, with the panel likely to take their time before breaches are settled one way or the other.
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