The “test of the century” between Manchester City and the Premier League opens this Monday – Libération

2024-09-16 07:34:43

Facing 115 charges, the British company under the Emirati flag is accused of having exceeded the rules of the financial game between 2009 and 2018. The “Citizens” risk heavy sanctions, which may go to the elimination of the English championship.

Accustomed to shocks on the green square, this is Manchester City working in another important face-off, legal this season and against the Premier League. The ogre of the English championship and another giant of Europe must answer from this Monday, September 16 to the allegations of financial abuse that occurred after the arrival of the Emirati owner in 2008, in what the British media described as “trial of the century”. “I’m glad you started on Monday.”commented on Friday Pep Guardiola, the multi-title coach of the English juggernaut. Before you get ironic: “I know there will be other rumors, new experts about sanctions.”

The Premier League, the organizer of the most followed championship in the world, believes that Manchester City deliberately circumvented the financial rules imposed between 2009 and 2018 to boost its sporting hopes. During this interval, “Citizens” won the championship three times. They then won numerous titles, in England and in Europe, including the Champions League in 2023.

After writing his complaint, the Premier League referred the club from the north of England to an independent committee in February 2023. He went through the millefeuille before being able to start the hearing of the two stations, Monday behind closed doors, in an unknown situation .

In total, 115 charges were weighed against the Mancunian team: 80 financial crimes (2009-2018 period) and an additional 35 for alleged non-cooperation in the investigation. In fact, Manchester City was accused of violating the financial regulations of the English league after its acquisition in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), owned by Sheikh Mansour.

Behind closed doors

The holding company is mainly suspected of having invested heavily, beyond the prescribed limits, by secretly transferring its money through Etihad, the Emirati airline partner of the team (sponsor of the shirt and the name of the stadium the). He also allegedly paid undisclosed salary increases to Roberto Mancini, one of the former coaches, and to some players. Manchester City must also answer for the alleged violations of the financial game by UEFA (season 2013-2018) and the Premier League (2015-2018).

The legal battle is expected to last ten weeks and a verdict will be delivered in January or February at the earliest. However, there is no judge or jury, but rather the closed doors of the independent Commission that should receive the words of both stations for several weeks, before making its decision at the beginning of 2025, according to the most optimistic estimates. Sanctions, if any, can go as far as the removal of points, or even elimination from the English championship, which City has won six of the last seven guides. The possibility of an appeal, from the club or the Premier League, could postpone the epilogue for several weeks, or even several months.