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".
The third edition of the annual China Cup featuring four teams from two confederations will be held from March 21 to 25 in Nanning, Guangxi. The 32-year-old is expected to miss between 10 and 15 days after limping off late in the recent 4-1 win at Real Betis in La Liga.
Injured Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay | Sport24
Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player in 45 years to reach 50 Ligue 1 goals as Paris St Germain beat visiting Nimes 3-0 on Saturday to stretch their lead at the top to 17 points.
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has said he plans to offer Lionel Messi a new contract in the hope the Argentinian will stay at the club his whole career. Messi We want Messi to always be
We want Lionel Messi to always be at Camp Nou: Barcelona
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne will stand trial for sexual assault in October after allegedly kissing a woman without consent on a train, a judge ruled on Tuesday. The 51-year-old ex
Ex-football star faces assault trial - gulf-times.com
Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Ralph Hassenhuttl praises Saints players after win. The striker opened his body to try and curl the ball past Ryan but Lewis Dunk was on hand to block his effort.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg strikes to give Southampton breathing
Napoli could finish the weekend trailing Serie A leaders Juventus by 11 points after Carlo Ancelotti's wasteful side stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Saturday, as Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal to get Inter Milan back winning against promoted Parma.
Napoli stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez gets Inter back winning
Spurs shine to hit Everton for six; But with Liverpool facing Arsenal and Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash in their next three games over the festive period, Tottenham have the
Football: Sport Singapore enters three-year partnership with
Alas, Poor Villain: Goro earns some sympathy from the party during his final battle, and they're even willing to bury the hatchet and join forces with him against his Arch Nemesis Dad. Okumura's brutal death also inspires some pity from the thieves, especially since he was their newest member's father.
A Gift for Dying by M.J. Arlidge - goodreads.com
Klopp said he was wary of falling into the trap of talking up his team's chances with 18 games of the 38-match campaign remaining. Liverpool's Klopp avoids title talk despite Arsenal rout
Liverpool's Klopp avoids title talk despite Arsenal rout
With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show Straits Times · 1d PORTO * Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his international exile to spearhead Portugal's hopes of winning the inaugural Nations League at home this weekend, but gone are the days when he was the European champions' only man to fear.
Nations League: More than just Cristiano Ronaldo! Portugal
Here are 10 players to watch for at soccer Women's World Cup 2019. Americans Carli Lloyd and Alyssa Naeher and Canada's Christine Sinclair among the players to watch at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
From Stanway to Pugh: 10 young players to watch at the Women
Cristiano Ronaldo's legal troubles, following accusations of rape is shaping Juventus's participation in the summer tournament at USA, a report by New York Times wrote.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces arrest in the US over rape claims
0 comments:
Post a Comment