The former chief investigator for UEFA has backed the Premier League's stunning charging of Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of league rules.
The Premier League announced on Monday that they had charged perennial champions City with alleged breaches across the last 14 years. Many of the alleged breaches relate to finances, with City now at risk of fines, points deductions and even expulsion if they are found guilty.
It comes three years after UEFA banned City from European competition for breaking Financial Fair Play rules. That ban was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), leaving investigators led by Yves Leterme devastated.
But the charges brought by the Premier League will not be under the scope of CAS, with an independent commission instead deciding punishment. And Leterme believes that the fact City cannot appeal to CAS makes the Premier League's case much stronger.
"That would make this case stronger. And then there is another element: the scope of the complaint is now broader than that at UEFA. Both in time and in substance," Leterme told Sporza when told City would not be able to appeal to CAS.
"Especially because the Premier League does not have to adhere to the same strict limitation periods as we do. We encountered a period of 5 years, which meant that we could not use important elements.
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"There was a total lack of transparent flow of financial information. With a battery of lawyers, they did everything they could to counter the work of our auditors. In addition, it turned out that money from sponsorship was actually paid by the owner.
"Finally, there were also the ambiguities surrounding contracts. However, thanks to emails and bank statements, we had hard evidence. I am convinced that fraud has been committed by Manchester City.
"The problem, however, was that UEFA's ruling could be contested with an arbitration committee, which does not fall under the real judiciary. Those arbitrators are always drawn from 10 to 12 of the same people and can reduce the sentence because they consider it too severe."
City have insisted they were left surprised by the Premier League's publication of the charges. But they have welcomed the news a commission will now take over the investigation as they insisted the matter could be put to bed.
"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," a club statement read.
"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."
