MANCHESTER City is threatened with relegation from the 2024-2025 Premier League in early 2025 if found guilty by the Independent Commission. Quoting from The Times via Mirror, the Independent Commission will begin a trial of 115 cases allegedly committed by Manchester City starting in September 2024.
This trial will begin two months earlier than previously scheduled, namely November 2024. After the trial is carried out from mid to late September 2024, the Independent Commission will announce the results in early 2025.
According to the Mirror, if found guilty, The Citizens - Manchester City's nickname - will be relegated! So, what problems actually befell Josep Guardiola's squad?
Manchester City is considered not transparent in the contract value of the former coach, Roberto Mancini, in 2009-2013. In addition, Manchester City also did not provide details of player salaries, including Yaya Toure in 2010-2011 to 2015-2016.
Another thing, Manchester City was also considered not to have submitted the required documents for five seasons, precisely from 2018-2019 to 2022-2023. In conclusion, Manchester City's non-transparent finances were the origin of the investigation.
Transparent financial reports are indeed mandatory for European clubs, considering the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. FFP violations usually result in clubs being banned from playing in European club competitions.
To overcome this problem, Manchester City did not panic. Reportedly, they used lawyer Lord Pannick KC to get away from all the accusations above.
Previously in 2019, UEFA banned Manchester City from playing in European club competitions for two years because they were considered to have violated FFP rules, in this case misuse of sponsorship funds. However, when they entered the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing, Manchester City managed to win the trial so that they were allowed to exist in the Champions League.