A general view of the Etihad Stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at Etihad Stadium. (Image: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Premier League hearing for alleged Financial Fair Play breaches has entered its second week as the club vehemently seeks to clear its name amidst ongoing speculation.
Whilst on-pitch action has largely taken centre stage with City securing a slot in the Carabao Cup fourth-round following a 2-1 victory against Watford, discussions about the tribunal have pervaded the football dialogue, with commentators weighing in on the developments. A veil of confidentiality around the proceedings has left many, including City’s rivals, longing for transparency.
Should Manchester City be adjudged in violation of financial regulations, they may find themselves at the start of another judiciary challenge, suggests ex-City finance expert Stefan Borson.
Borson outlined to Football Insider the procedural steps ahead, explaining: “It effectively means there is a split trial.
“There won’t be any discussion in this independent commission about what the sanction should be for City in terms of those that are within the remit of the independent commission.”
He further explained the commission’s focus, stating: “The independent commission will hear the evidence in terms of the actual substantive situation and will come to a finding as to whether City have done it or not in respect of all the individual charges.
“I assume they will then publish that decision and, at that point, will recall the parties to make submissions regarding whatever sanction is appropriate and incorporate within those discussions submissions relating to aggravating and mitigating factors.
“In a sense, it’s similar to a sentencing hearing in criminal matters, where the guilt is established and then you go back into court and the judge hears the party’s submissions on what the sentence should be, so it will be similar to that.
“Clearly, if City are found not to have broken any rules, then there won’t be any need for the sanction hearing and that will be the end of that, subject to any appeals by the Premier League.”
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has expressed his understanding of why City’s Premier League rivals might be upset with the hearing being conducted behind closed doors. He told Football Insider: “I can understand if the other clubs are upset,” and “If you’re paying the bill, you have a right to see what’s going on.”
He added that the legal fees would be deducted from the overall broadcasting share, stating: “This will be deducted from the overall broadcasting share, so if it’s £20million in legal fees that’s a million from each club. But due to legal proceedings being as they are, they’ve decided it will be held in secret.
“Clubs have every right to be upset because they don’t know if their money is being well-spent.
“You don’t know if the Premier League have hired the wrong lawyers, or have spent too much on lawyers.
“In the recent Everton case, the Premier League had their knuckles wrapped because they spent five times more on expert witnesses than Everton. There is a case that if you’re spending someone else’s money, you’re not quite as careful.
“With the Premier League having a blank cheque, there’s not much accountability. Yes, there is a reason to be angry and question it but the reality is that the clubs aren’t going to have much say.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1953138/manchester-city-could-face-second-trial-premier-league-financial-rules-hearing