Manchester City faces exclusion from the league

In terms of sport, everything is running smoothly for Manchester City The reigning champions lead the Premier League with a clean sheet. Superstar Erling Haaland set a new record with nine goals in the first four games.

And the first season title has already achieved victory in the Community Shield against city rivals ManUnited.

And yet There is a thick black cloud hanging over the “Skyblues”as Manchester City is called by its fans.

The best football club in England has been on trial since Monday. English media are talking about “Football trial of the century”The BBC calls the case “one of the biggest financial scandals in sport.”

In any case, it is the toughest match in Manchester City’s 144-year history In the worst case scenario, the traditional club and ten-time champions even face exclusion from the Premier League.

There are serious allegations which the club management is confronted with. Overall 115 (!) Manchester City are accused of violating financial rules.

The underlying accusation: All the brilliant successes and beautiful titles of the past years, including those in the Champions League in the 2022/’23 season, were only defrauded by financial tricks achieved with a team that should never have been put together like that.

But what is really behind it?

No cooperation

In 2008, the club was founded by billionaire Sheikh Mansour from Abu Dhabi. Since then, Manchester City has stopped using money and the rules are apparently not always taken very seriously.

Because of Violations of Financial Fair Play The club has already been fined heavily by UEFA. Exclusion from the European Cup could still be avoided.

Now the English Premier League is investigating the club that has won six of the last seven championships. The allegations in detail.

Since the 2008/09 season, Manchester City is said to have failed to provide the league with detailed financial information 54 times. The club refused to provide the requested information on player and manager salaries 14 times.

In addition, there were five violations of UEFA Financial Fair Play and seven violations of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. Last but not least, the club refused to cooperate in 35 cases during the investigation.

Things could get tough for Manchester City: The penalties for all these offences range from a horrendous fine to point deductions and the revocation of titles. Even exclusion from the Premier League is possible.

For league boss Richard Masters, the Premier League’s credibility is at stake. “We have a thick set of rules. And part of every sporting competition is the obligation to adhere to these rules.”