‘We want sanctions’ – Manchester City reported to European Union by furious La Liga chief
Manchester City have become the centre of controversy ever since the Saudi takeover which led to them being one of the best clubs in the world. The controversy here is based around the fact that Saudi clubs have a lot of money and how they are spending it has some irregularities.
Manchester City are already set to face a verdict of 130 charges brought upon them for allegedly breaching the FFP ( Financial Fair Play ) rules of the Premier League. They are also involved in another separate issue with the Premier League over Associated Party Transactions ( APT ). Now, La Liga chief has reported Manchester City to the European Union and is demanding sanctions.
The first ever sanction was raised against Manchester City in 2019 because of the work of a Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto. German outlet Der Spiegel published a report into their finances based on the hacker’s findings. UEFA and the Premier League led the investigation on the accusation of City failing to provide accurate financial information from 2009 to 2018, a period in which they won three Premier League titles. As of now City have not given an official statement regarding any sanction or charges and will look to win against all of their accusations in their court.
In a very disappointing season and title defense as well, City spent £172million on four players in the January transfer window and when Pep Guardiola was asked whether this was done to mitigate against a potential transfer embargo, he finally opened up and said
“I do not agree but my words will not convince people that our attributes are just being in a wealthy position. In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six for net spend.
“Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham. Even from Liverpool.
“The only reason why is because we sold a lot in the last seasons but even with that I know this club, is always ‘just about the money’.
“In one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, in the end, every club can do whatever they want.
“Because in the last ten years we are third (for net spend), but in the last five even with what we won we are behind the top six teams, so I’m sorry for the comments and that is why I don’t agree.”
Thoughts of La Liga chief Javier Tebas about the situation on Manchester City
Javier Tebas voiced his opinion regarding the sanctions raised on Manchester City during the FT’s Business Of Football Summit :
“We have reported Manchester City to the EU. Even though they are an English team, and not part of the EU, they still have commercial activities in Europe. We first made the complaint in July 2023 and there are now regulations in place allowing the EU to look at companies like City Football Group.
“There are two aspects. The first is checking Manchester City are not using other companies to cheat the system. The second element is a bigger battle to stop football ending up in the hands of State-owned entities without proper policing.
“Our case against Manchester City relates to two things. We take issue with some of the prices the club have paid. And we question who the club can saddle losses on other related companies that are not directly part of City Football Group.”
“I can’t speak to any sanctions for Manchester City on this matter yet. All I can say is when a company in Europe, in general, is seen to have distorted the market, they often have to return funds. We want Manchester City to be sanctioned.
“The case is currently in the investigation phase. We haven’t had a reply yet. Remember, the EU have lots of cases.”
“Manchester City were already expelled from European competition for two seasons but then they went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We call it a ‘court’ but it’s not really a court of justice. Manchester City were not condemned.
“UEFA was clear in the sanctions. In the case of the Premier League’s charges, I don’t know whether Manchester City will be deducted one point or 50 points or get relegated. All I know is the UEFA sanction was just, regardless of what CAS ruled.”
“Related parties need to be kept at arm’s length. It’s the same in every other sector, so why not football?
“When City Football Group bought Girona they sent five players on loan. We checked the valuations. We calculated they were 40 times higher than Manchester City claimed. We used our valuation, and that’s why there was no complaint or sanction.
“What worries me about Manchester City is something else. They have a group of companies outside of City Football Group. They saddle all their expenses to these companies.
“For example, they have scouting or marketing companies who accrue high expenses. They invoice Manchester City for low amounts. It allows Manchester City to have a structure that circumvents the rules.”