Manchester City have reiterated their insistence that they have “irrefutable evidence” to back up their denial of all 115 financial charges levelled at them by the Premier League.
The independent panel hearing to review the case is due to start later this year, albeit Premier League chief Richard Masters refused to disclose the exact date when asked by a government committee in January.
The League accuses City of illicit financing and un-cooperation in the period between 2009 and 2018 – allegations the club strongly denies in full. A responding Man City statement in February 2023 said the club was “surprised” by the claims given “extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials” has been provided to league officials.
Filing their financial accounts last week, Manchester City have reiterated their complete denial stance by referencing part of their initial statement in a Companies House report.
The document reads: “On 6 February 2023, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.21.1, the Premier League referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission under Premier League Rule W3.4.
“In February 2023, in response to the charges, the cub issued a public statement that it welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”
In the meantime, the Premier League has been under the spotlight regarding other Profit & Sustainability Rules [PSR] matters. Everton were handed a record points-deduction in November, which was reduced from 10 to six in February upon appeal.
However, the Toffees have today been handed a second points sanction – this time two points – for breaching PSR under new fast-track penalty regulations that were implemented this season.
Nottingham Forest were also charged last month for breaking PSR rules within the same three-year financial cycle, and the club have decided to appeal the penalty.
The Premier League is expected to make whole-scale changes to its finance rules this summer amid fears that non ‘big six’ clubs are being penalised for trying to cut the competition gap. The case against City would still stand regardless of any new rule changes.
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