If UEFA move was a body blow, this would be a KO
THE response from Manchester City, after the Premier League issued a long list of allegations, was calm and measured.
Etihad chiefs were “surprised” by the charges relating to alleged breaches of financial rules but welcomed the review of the matter.
It was the equivalent of a raised eyebrow, a rueful shake of the head and a heavy sigh.
Yet behind the scenes there was barely disguised fury at the top end of the club that, once again, they have to defend themselves against the charge they have not played by the same rules as everyone else.
Privately, City feel this is a vendetta, one driven by jealousy from powerful clubs at home and abroad, with undertones of racism.
City sources pointed to the timing of the announcement – ahead of an imminent White Paper on football governance – as politically-motivated and a rushed attempt by the Premier League to show they can police themselves. There the club gave information that was not an accurate view of their finances.
UEFA’s allegations were that City’s Abu Dhabi owners had directed funds into the club through inflated sponsorship agreements with state-owned companies. The Premier League now allege that between 200913, when Roberto Mancini was boss, the club did not give full details of manager and player payments.
Documents leaked by German media company Der Spiegel in 2018, which prompted the UEFA probe, claimed the coach and some players between 2010-16 were paid more through undisclosed shadow contracts than was recorded on City’s books.
City won three Premier League titles during the period in which they have been alleged to have not played by the rules.
There is no sanction available to the commission to strip them of those titles, but a judgement against the club would tarnish them.