Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has described Manchester City’s independent commission verdict as the most significant disciplinary decision in the competition’s history after the club were found guilty of serious financial breaches.
The independent commission found Man City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches across a nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2017/18, while three of four alleged breaches relating to the club’s cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation were upheld.
Masters said the ruling established the facts surrounding Man City’s conduct and vindicated the Premier League’s decision to pursue the case.
Long, detailed process
“The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period,” Masters said.
“It details how the club systematically broke Premier League rules for nearly a decade.
“It also vindicates the Premier League’s decision to pursue this case against Manchester City.
“While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently.”
‘Sham’ financial dealings
The commission found that Man City had used “sham” commercial agreements to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs while also filing misstated accounts that concealed the true state of the club’s finances.
Had the relevant agreements been accurately reported, the commission found Man City would have breached both Premier League and UEFA spending limits by a very substantial amount.
Masters also stressed the wider importance of enforcing the competition’s financial regulations, arguing that the rules exist to protect the integrity of the Premier League.
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Rules are rules
“It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition,” Masters explained.
“It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and for the fans.
“We take that role extremely seriously.”
However, the verdict does not conclude the entire process.
The independent commission will determine the appropriate sanctions at a later stage, while Man City have until Friday, October 2, to appeal the findings.
The Premier League has said it intends to move through the remaining steps of the process as quickly as possible.
Sanctions come swift
Masters added: “This disciplinary case and this decision are the most significant in Premier League history.
“There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches.
“Now we have the commission’s decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process to provide certainty for the League, our clubs and fans.”
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