By Basant El-Faramawy
English football executives are urging the Premier League to investigate Manchester City for seasons after 2018 or bring further charges, creating a significant debate and a potential dilemma for the competition.
Guilty verdict and appeal
Last month, the Abu Dhabi-owned club was found guilty of 114 charges of breaching financial rules in a case described as one of the most controversial in football history. The club is currently appealing the decision.
Questions over post-2018 period
The independent commission found City and its Abu Dhabi-based sponsors were "Related Parties" and that sponsorship deals were inflated by disguised owner investment. Executives question whether this practice stopped in 2018, given commercial income remained at similar levels.
Potential sanctions and title stripping
The initial investigation stemmed from emails leaked to Der Spiegel in November 2018 covering 2009-2018. Sanctions are expected soon, with some possibility the commission could recommend stripping titles from 2012, 2014, and 2018, though viewed as unlikely.
Dilemma for the Premier League
Since 2018, City under Pep Guardiola have won four consecutive Premier League titles, six in seven years, a domestic treble, and the 2022-23 Champions League treble. Executives feel questions about this period have not been adequately addressed. The Premier League has declined to comment until the case concludes. Some executives believe post-2018 deals were assessed at fair market value under associated party rules, but skeptics argue the guilty verdict undermines that view. City maintains innocence and is bullish about appeal. The prospect of further investigation is seen as a dilemma: some argue for patience, others say without leaked emails there are no clear grounds, and sanctions from the current verdict may suffice. Another view suggests a potential investigation could serve as a negotiation tactic, especially if a forced sale under the Independent Football Regulator looms. Avoiding further probes could reassure potential buyers. Concerns remain that another investigation could take years, prolonging uncertainty for the Premier League.
