The big explanation between the Premier League and Manchester City, the giant of European football suspected of multiple financial infractions, begins this Monday, September 16 before an independent commission after months of waiting and speculation. An extraordinary face-off already considered as ” the sports trial of the century ” by the British press.
« I’m glad it starts on Monday. “, commented Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City coach who has been at the top of European football for several years, on September 13. I’m not a lawyer, but there are apparently a lot of them in this country (…) I know what people are trying to prove, but no one is guilty until proven guilty. ” he added before cutting the discussion short.
The Premier League, which organises the English football championship, believes that City knowingly circumvented the financial rules established between 2009 and 2018 to boost its transfers and sporting results. During this period, the “Citizens” won the English championship three times. They have subsequently won multiple titles, both in England (six of the last seven Premier League titles) and on the European stage (the first Champions League in the club’s history won in 2023).
Under Premier League rules, Manchester City face sanctions ranging from a reprimand to being banned from the league, with points being taken off the table and even relegation to a lower division. The committee can also make sanctions, which can be appealed, conditional on corrective action being taken within a set time frame.
- RFI
