Since Monday, Manchester City is facing justice over 115 charges brought by the Premier League, in what the English press calls “the trial of the century.” Previously, there were discussions about sanctions going as far as exclusion from the league, but this Thursday, the British newspaper “The Telegraph” claims that the Citizens could also be banned from the FA Cups and even from the Champions League.
The “trial of the century” rightly earns its name. Since this Monday and for ten weeks, Manchester City must respond to the 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The organizer of the most followed championship in the world believes that the title holders deliberately circumvented the financial rules established between 2009 and 2018 to boost their sporting ambitions. The Citizens notably won the English championship three times during this period.
Of the 115 charges, 80 concerns financial aspects, covering the period from 2009 to 2018, and 35 relate to an alleged lack of cooperation in the investigation. The commission will take the time to examine the arguments of both sides before rendering its decision, likely at the beginning of 2025.
There were discussions of various sanctions for the northwest England team. Under the Premier League regulations, Manchester City faces penalties ranging from a mere reprimand to exclusion from the league, including point deductions.
Several Premier League clubs have recently faced sanctions, such as Everton last season, which lost eight points in the standings for recording losses exceeding the threshold allowed by the English league. But given the unprecedented scale of the “Man City” case, historic sanctions could await Manuel Akanji’s teammates.
Manchester City excluded from all competitions?
If Manchester City is found guilty of violating financial rules, the Citizens risk being “expelled from all competitions (not just the Premier League),” claims The Telegraph this Thursday.
While the most severe expected sanctions were relegation to the Championship, the British daily reports that Man City “risks being expelled from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, and it is uncertain whether they can continue to play in the Champions League.”
And according to the Daily Mail, this is reportedly the wish of several English clubs: “It has already been reported that most Premier League teams would not accept a point deduction if City was found guilty, with many demanding expulsion from the division.”
Potentially not competing in the Champions League?
The 115 charges against Manchester City have been brought by the organizer of the English championship, but some of the accusations also relate to non-compliance with UEFA’s financial fair play rules between 2013 and 2018. The Telegraph adds: “If Manchester City is expelled from all national football, it could be very difficult for them to continue playing in the Champions League and the Club World Cup, due to the long intervals between matches.”
All these sanctions exist, but will they be enforced? No one currently has the answer. In the meantime, City officials prefer to downplay the situation, assuring their players “that there will be no problem.”