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".
Griezmann Fires Atletico Level With Barcelona. the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and RCD Espanyol at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on Decemeber 22
La Liga: Red-hot Griezmann fires Atletico level with Barcelona
Justin Franks (I) on IMDb: Movies, Tv, Celebrities, and more LATEST HEADLINES. Viola Davis to Return as Amanda Waller in James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' (Exclusive)
NASA Encounters the Perfect Storm for Science - mars.nasa.gov
Iker Casillas Suffers Heart Attack Scare But Says He Is 'Feeling Strong' Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas suffered "acute" heart attack during training at Porto but later tweeted about his well being from the hospital.
Porto keeper Iker Casillas says he is 'feeling strong' after
LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City retained the Premier League title in style on Sunday (May 12), holding their nerve to come from behind against Brighton and see off a charging Liverpool after a
Football: Man City batter Brighton to retain Premier League
Milner wants team to deliver better final ball, Football News
NBA Finals 2019: Warriors may have just begun greatest comeback of their reign, yet it feels completely empty The loss of Durant cast a shadow over what was an impressive comeback win
Cornerback Covering Tips - Be A Great Cornerback
Football: Warriors banned from hiring foreign personnel Warriors FC forward Gabriel Quak (in red) vying with Geylang International's Firdaus Kasman during a Singapore Premier League match last month.
Magic Johnson calling out Rob Pelinka latest example of how
If Gabriel does face an extended spell on the sidelines, Wenger could head into next Sunday's season opener with Liverpool with just new man Rob Holding and Calum Chambers available at centre-back. Arsenal could yet sign a new player to plug the gap in time for the Premier League curtain-raiser or rush Koscielny back earlier than expected.
Koscielny | Up The Arsenal
Atletico Madrid left it late to see off Girona 2-0 at home on Tuesday as strikes from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept up their faint hopes of catching La Liga leaders Barcelona. Captain
La Liga title chase: Late strikes keep Atletico on board | P
Paine delighted with Aussie grit in second Test victory
Double Injury Blow For Spurs Ahead Of EPL Clash With Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur will be without Eric Dier and Serge Aurier for Sunday's English Premier League (EPL) trip to Liverpool, manager
Double injury blow for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Liverpool
Bayern Munich won a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to finish two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive
Football: Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final Roberto Firmino trained in Madrid on Friday and is fit after missing Liverpool's last three games, manager Jurgen Klopp said
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Roberto Firmino passed fit for
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen