The judgment has been issued in the landmark case concerning the Premier League and Manchester City.
On Tuesday, the Premier League announced that City was found guilty of almost all 115 financial charges against it in a dramatic statement.
The club may face harsh penalties, including possible removal from the league, but has pledged to appeal the decision.
Here’s a timeline outlining this massive scandal in English football:
2018
November — German publication Der Spiegel reveals internal emails from City, suggesting the club devised plans to obscure its true income sources in an attempt to meet financial fair play standards.
This information was sourced from the “Football Leaks” website, created by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto. While City did not deny the emails’ authenticity, they stated they would not comment on materials they deem to be taken out of context. City claimed this was a coordinated effort to tarnish its image. UEFA then began investigating the allegations, leading to a Premier League inquiry as well.
2019
March 7 — With Der Spiegel continuing to publish City’s internal documents, UEFA launches a formal investigation into the club’s financial practices. City welcomes the inquiry as a chance to resolve the ongoing speculation sparked by the hacking.
May 14 — City claims to have presented “comprehensive proof” of its compliance with financial regulations, declaring the accusations to be completely false. Reports indicate that City may have faced a one-season ban from the Champions League for not cooperating with investigators.
2020
Feb. 14 — UEFA imposes a two-year Champions League ban on City due to “serious breaches” of spending rules and lack of cooperation during the investigation, along with a €30 million ($33 million) fine. City describes the investigation as “flawed” and states intentions to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
July 13 — City successfully overturns its Champions League ban through CAS, which ruled that not all allegations were substantiated and some were outside the time limit. However, CAS imposes a €10 million ($11.3 million) fine for failing to cooperate with investigators.
2023
Feb. 6 — The Premier League refers City to an independent commission, alleging over 100 financial rule breaches. City is accused of providing misleading financial information between 2009-2018 and failing to assist the investigation. The club states it is “surprised” by the accusations and claims to possess substantial evidence to refute them.
May 24 — City clinches the Premier League title for the fifth time in six years, with manager Pep Guardiola expressing a desire for a quick resolution to the financial allegations.
Sept. 11 — Rui Pinto receives a four-year suspended prison sentence for multiple crimes, including unauthorized computer access and email interception. During his trial, he described himself as a whistleblower, despite being convicted of various offenses.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, resigned this past May after a decade in charge. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
2024
Sept. 16 — An independent commission with three judges starts hearings on the Premier League’s charges against City at a confidential location in London.
Dec. 6 — After 12 weeks, the hearings conclude, with no announcement regarding the timing of the verdict.
2026
Sept. 25 — The Athletic reports that City has been found guilty of all but one of the Premier League charges.
Sept. 29 — The Premier League publishes the independent commission’s verdict, confirming City is guilty of all charges concerning serious financial rule breaches over nine seasons, as well as the majority of charges related to its failure to cooperate with the investigation. The league asserts that City “intended to circumvent” financial rules using what it described as “sham” contracts aimed at artificially inflating revenues and reducing costs by over £900 million. City maintains its innocence and asserts it will vigorously pursue all available avenues for appeal.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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Fan Take: This ruling is a pivotal moment for soccer fans, highlighting the importance of financial integrity in the sport. The outcome could reshape competitive balance and trust in the Premier League, potentially influencing how clubs operate moving forward.
Source: www.foxsports.com
