ZURICH (AFP) - Uefa on Thursday (March 7) announced they were opening an investigation into whether or not Manchester City broke Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, a breach that could lead to a devastating Champions League ban.
However, English champions City insisted the accusations against them are false and that they welcomed the opportunity to clear their name.
German magazine Der Spiegel, using material purportedly obtained from the whistleblowing outlet Football Leaks, alleged in November that City had set up sponsorship deals to circumvent regulations limiting how much money owners can put into a club.
"The Investigatory Chamber of the independent Uefa Club Financial Control Body has today opened a formal investigation into Manchester City FC for potential breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations," said a Uefa statement on Thursday.
"The investigation will focus on several alleged violations of FFP that were recently made public in various media outlets."
City responded immediately by saying they supported the investigation and that they had nothing to hide.
"Manchester City welcomes the opening of a formal Uefa investigation as an opportunity to bring to an end the speculation resulting from the illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails," the club said in a statement.
"The accusation of financial irregularities are entirely false. The club's published accounts are full and complete and a matter of legal and regulatory record."
Â
Â
Â
Â
City had earlier responded to Der Spiegel's claims by saying there had been an "organised and clear" attempt to damage the club's reputation.
A ban from Uefa competitions, including the Champions League, is a potential punishment if City are found guilty of FFP breaches.
City were fined €60 million (S$90 million) and subjected to squad, wage and spending caps in a 2014 settlement agreed with Uefa following a previous breach of the rules.
City coach Pep Guardiola has always insisted that City would accept a ban but does not believe it is likely after discussions with the club's UAE owners.
QUESTIONS FOR PSG, MILAN
"We will not be banned, no. That's what I think because I trust in my chairman, with my CEO, what they have explained to me," he said.
"If it happens, because Uefa decide that, we will accept it and move forward."
City are not the only European heavyweight to be caught up in claims of breaking financial fair play rules.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain quashed reports they could be forced to sell either Kylian Mbappe or Neymar in a bid to circumvent eventual FFP sanctions.
Qatar-owned PSG, who splashed a combined total of more than €400 million in 2017 for Brazil star Neymar and France World Cup winner Mbappe, blasted allegations as "totally false and ridiculous".
Former European champions AC Milan were warned in December that they risk being excluded from European competition if they fail to "break even".
Milan had already been banned for a year from the Europa League due to breaching FFP regulations before winning an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last year.
But Uefa said the former seven-time European champions again face suspension from continental competition in future seasons "should the club not be break-even compliant at 30 June 2021".
Football: Improved Denis Suarez ready to make impact, say Unai Emery LONDON • With Granit Xhaka facing a late fitness test and Lucas Torreira suspended, Unai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact in Arsenal's bid to climb back into the Premier League's top four.
Improved Suarez ready to make impact: Emery
United bank on 'Goal threats', Football News & Top Stories
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri says the club can do "very well next season" if Gonzalo Higuain stays at Stamford Bridge The Argentina international was on target in Chelsea's 3-0 win against
Sarri: Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - mau.co.ke
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation | Football
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United blueprint to beat Tottenham. Man Utd face Tottenham in the Premier League and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may need some advice from Sir Alex
Manchester United - Blueprint
Football: Defending Asian Cup champs Australia downed by underdogs Jordan Jordan's Anas Bani-Yaseen celebrating after scoring against Australia during the AFC Asian Cup match in Al Ain, UAE, on
AFC Asian Cup: Jordan stuns defending champions Australia
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent' celebrations A South Korean player caused uproar in China after he was pictured with his foot on the Panda Cup. AFP/STR
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
The result kept Liverpool top of the Premier League on 69 points, just ahead of Manchester City on 68 points after the champions' 1-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday. Liverpool had drawn three out of their last four league games to allow City back into the race, but found their full fluency and intensity again against the Hornets.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp maintains the Premier League title has not been decided after watching Manchester City take an "expected" big step towards it. Victory over Manchester United at Old
Jürgen Klopp and the Calm Rebuke of Kyle Walker's Trolling
R416, laziness and too much money in the game. Once you have good results people expect a lot out of you and it becomes too much for the women to handle. Tennis players are the most marketable athletes on the planet next to football/soccer players cause they play around the world, once you attain good results the demand is there.
MONT-SAINT-MICHEL AND CHARTRES, by Henry Adams - The Unz Review
LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is confident Gonzalo Higuain can be the short-term solution to his side's need for goals and urged the Argentinian to earn a permanent move to the
Sarri: Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - Daily Nation
Japan failed to break down a determined and well-organised Argentine defence in Paris on Monday in the first goalless draw of the Women's World Cup. Argentina hold Japan for historic first World
Women's World Cup: Dogged Argentina Hold Japan to Goalless
Football: Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea | The Star Online ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts upset Son Heung-min's South Korea 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time on Friday.
Hatim wonder strike against South Korea secures historic AFC
Pep Guardiola Stays Cool Despite Shock Man City Defeat Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for the home side at the Etihad but Palace hit back with goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend followed by a Luka Milivojevic penalty.
Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat - Punch
Pep Guardiola trusts Manchester City to resolve Financial
0 comments:
Post a Comment