Premier league powerhouse Manchester City has recently been charged with a decade worth of breaking financial rules. The Sky Blues have won 4 league titles in the past five seasons, and have given a good account of themselves in both domestic and international cups, reaching the Champions League final in 2021 and winning the FA cup against Watford in 2019. The Prem giants are considered one of the best teams in the world. Backed by renowned manager Pep Guardiola, combined with a hefty bank account and significant big name players like Kevin De Bruyne. One could say that their downfall was impossible. However these recent allegations prove otherwise.
The 4 year investigation led to 105 accusations against the Manchester based club. More specifically, these 105 allegations can be split up into four main groups. The first of which is incorrect book keeping or falsifying their accounts in order to hide certain sponsorship money and potentially hidden costs. The second set of allegations are more specific around a single manager, Roberto Mancini who was there from 2009-2013. The evidence suggests that he was paid extra money which was not reported on the financial accounts. The 3rd ones are about compliance to financial fair play rules, and the 4th and final group reflects upon their cooperation with the authorities throughout this investigation.
Manchester City has declared themselves innocent of these charges and have chosen to fight them in court. If they are found guilty of these crimes, they could be facing some serious penalties such as: point deductions, fees or even guaranteed relegation. Whilst rival fans are praying for City's downfall and that the club should be punished for its crimes, it would be a shame to see a giant like Manchester City fall to the ground. Many jobs will be lost and a community shattered.
By Nick