Man City FFP: ‘Concrete’ update date announced after City tipped to avoid relegation

Manchester City and the rest of the Premier League will have to wait until the new year to find a “concrete” update on the financial fair play situation, according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness.

An independent commission hearing began in September to examine 115 allegations made by the Premier League against the Citizens.

The Premier League launched an investigation into Man City in 2018 and, after a series of legal delays, charges were finally laid in February 2023 and the club was referred to an independent commission.

The charges against the nationals relate to the requirement for accurate reporting of financial information, including the value of sponsorship deals, the provision of details of manager and player pay information, and a club’s responsibility as a member of the Premier League to comply with UEFA’s financial regulations and rules. According to the league’s own profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

They are also accused of not cooperating with the league’s investigation. In total, there are expenses for each season from 2009-10 to 2022-23.

Man City On the day the charges were brought, it issued a statement strongly denying the allegations, saying it welcomed the opportunity for an independent commission to “impartially consider the comprehensive, irrefutable evidence that supports our view.”

The club added: “We therefore look forward to this matter being brought to an end as soon as possible.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer is doubtful that Man City will be relegated if he is found guilty of the charges against him.

McAteer said: “Currently, 115 charges are being investigated. Why is it taking so long to find Everton and Forest guilty so quickly? They gave the punishments. I know there are many more charges and City are innocent until proven guilty but there are 115 charges! They will be very lucky to escape each of them.

“I have my own opinion as to why it took so long. I think there are many external elements to consider that go beyond a purely sporting decision. Lawyers are going after this and trying to find a result that suits everyone.

“As a Liverpool fan, of course I would be disappointed if City were found guilty. Whether you want to use the word cheated or whether you want to say they’ve bent the rules by having really good accountants, that’s still not true.”

MORE MAN CITY COVERAGE IN THE F365
Famous F365 Friday Quiz: How many Prem sporting directors can you place?
Ten goalscorers with more than 30 goals like Viktor Gyokeres who failed in the Premier League
There are no Liverpool men among the Premier League’s 10 most creative players

“Cheating is a very, very strong word, but if they get caught doing it, then of course I’ll be (disappointed).

“Liverpool players have put a lot into their campaign against City over a four-year period. I don’t think a team can bend the rules so much to gain such a significant advantage (Liverpool lost two potential titles by a single point) and have dominated English football for the last five, six, seven years.” To find out that it is, then really, you really disappointed me, we’re not at that stage yet and we’ll have to see what the outcome is.

“I think if City are found guilty, financially they can handle whatever the penalty is. “They’ve got huge pockets of money so it won’t really hurt them, but from the standpoint they’ll have to set an example.

“Even if the league takes 40 points from them, they will probably finish in the Europa League. A transfer embargo for two or three seasons might be another way of looking at it.

“I don’t think City will be relegated if they are found guilty. I think the Premier League needs them. I think the government needs them. We will have to wait and see what happens.”

Former Everton chief executive Wyness insists Manchester City and other Premier League clubs will have to wait a while longer until they come up with something “concrete”.

Wyness told Football Insider: “Right now we’re all watching it every day, every week. There have been no leaks, I have heard absolutely nothing in football circles.

“I think we’ll be well into the new year before we hear anything concrete about this case.

“We will need to pick ourselves up and get through Christmas. Then we can expect to brighten up our January with exciting news about the result.”