It is nearly two years since the Premier League handed Manchester City a charge sheet without precedent: 115 breaches of its financial rules across nine different seasons.
As well as being charged with failing to disclose accurate
financial information and managerial remuneration details during a period that
began their rise to the summit of English football, Manchester City were also
alleged to have breached the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules
(PSR) during three seasons from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
The wide-ranging charges have been strenuously denied by
City, who last year said they would look forward to this opportunity to “put to
rest, once and for all,” a protracted investigation that had begun in 2018.
Yet 365 days on, against a backdrop of other top flight
clubs receiving penalties, the reigning Premier League champions are still
to even see a hearing begin.
City have never blinked in their defence, insisting they
have followed regulations. The Premier League, though, has not been convinced
and, following the formal charges being delivered in early February, it will
now be the task of an independent commission to pass judgement.
That reality has hung over City for nearly two years and, in
all likelihood, it could be another year before the case reaches its eventual
conclusion.
Fans of other clubs would like to see City penalised, but it
is only through substantial external investment that the top six cartel can be
challenged. However, Newcastle United
have found that they are limited by the
rules now in force.
The Premier League, which took four years to bring charges
against City, is yet to make it known if Chelsea are to face charges.
Chelsea do not yet have a case to answer with the Premier
League, which has brought no charges, but any proven circumvention of PSR would
bring unavoidable sanctions, including the threat of a substantial points
deduction. Like Manchester City’s case, however, it is unlikely to be resolved
quickly.
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