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Manchester City found guilty of Premier League financial breaches
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations over a nine-season period. The investigation concluded that the club clearly intended to circumvent rules by disguising owner funding as sponsorship revenue and inflating revenues to avoid spending limits. The scale of the financial irregularities is reported to exceed £900 million.
Former footballer Gary Neville has commented on the verdict, stating that the scandal has “dragged [the Premier League] through the mud” and damaged the league's integrity. Neville suggested that the only fair punishment for the club would be the removal of its owners. Similarly, Jamie Carragher has called for the club's owners to sell the team, suggesting the current era must end for the club to recover.
Manchester City has expressed its intention to appeal the decision, asserting that the verdict “contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.” The club maintains that it possesses a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support its positions.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Manchester City intends to appeal the decision, claiming it contains material errors of law, principle, and fact. www.rotherradio.co.uk · www.sportskeeda.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] City inflated revenue and hid costs totaling more than £900 million across the nine-season period. www.rotherradio.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations. www.rotherradio.co.uk · www.sportskeeda.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The commission concluded the club clearly intended to circumvent regulations over nine seasons. www.rotherradio.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The club disguised owner funding as sponsorship revenue to avoid spending limits. www.rotherradio.co.uk