Manchester City 'Against' the Allegations And Threats From The Premier League

Manchester City received threats from the Premier League. (Photo: Twitter @ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City was shocked by the announcement made by the English Premier League. The Premier League authorities filed accusations that City had violated a number of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

This accusation is the result of an investigation that has been carried out for four years. The FFP breaches are alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2018.

The Premier League also said City had not cooperated since the investigation which began in December 2018.

"In accordance with Premier League Regulations article 82 no.1, the English Premier League confirms that it has today referred to a number of alleged breaches of regulations by Manchester City Football Club (Club)," wrote the English Premier League on their official website on Monday, February 6.

The Premier League will form an independent commission to process the violation.

"The members of the Commission will be appointed by the Independent Chair of the English Premier League Judicial Panel. The proceedings before the Commission will be kept confidential and will be heard in private," the statement continued.

Like being struck by lightning in broad daylight, The Citizens said they were shocked by the accusation. In its official statement, the top English Premier League team still denied being guilty.

"Manchester City FC is appalled by the publication of this alleged breach of the Premier League Rules, especially given the extensive involvement and large amount of detailed material that has been provided by the EPL," City said in a statement.

"The club welcomes a review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider all available irrefutable evidence to support its position."

"Therefore we hope that this matter will be stopped once and for all," the statement continued.

There are five points that the English Premier League has accused City of. The first point is that accurate financial information is required regarding income, including income from sponsors), related parties, and operational costs.

The second point concerns the violation of the details of the manager's contract. The Premier League questioned the requirement for clubs to include full details of manager and player remuneration in relevant contracts.

Then the next point is the violation of Premier League regulations which require member clubs to comply with UEFA regulations, including the UEFA Club Licensing Regulations and the Financial Fair Play Regulations.

The fourth point is an alleged violation related to the EPL Profitability and Sustainability rules. While the last point, regarding 'Requiring member clubs to cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations, including by providing documents and information to the EPL in good faith'.

Manchester City could face severe punishment if found guilty of accusations from the English Premier League. A number of British media said they could get a large enough point deduction that would destroy their chances of winning the league this season.

Apart from that, there is also the threat of a ban on player transfers. In fact, reportedly, there is a threat of The Citizens being relegated.

City was previously punished by UEFA for committing "serious breaches" of FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016.

They were banned from participating in the Champions League or European competition before the ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at the end of 2020.