Man City To Be Stripped off Premier League Title : Who says the international break is boring? Well, the announcement of Everton’s punishment after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play rules means there is plenty to discuss until the return of Premier League action.
On Friday it was confirmed the Toffees have been hit with a 10-point deduction – a decision that leaves them in the relegation zone but still above Burnley in the table by virtue of a superior goal difference – although the Merseyside outfit have announced an appeal will be launched.
Of course, the punishment has sent shockwaves throughout the English top flight, particularly some Arsenal supporters who are awaiting the outcome of Manchester City’s FFP investigation as it was revealed back in February they had been charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation.
“In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club (Club) to a Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4,” the Premier League statement reads.
The statement goes on to list said breaches with five separate points made on the rulings, before adding: “Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel, in accordance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
“The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website. This confirmation is made in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1. The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice.”
In terms of potential punishments, the Times writer Martyn Ziegler has previously outlined that if the breaches are upheld then Man City could be hit with a point deduction in the Premier League – just like Everton – or even worse yet, expulsion from English football’s top-flight.
Unsurprisingly, recent developments have prompted many questions about how Arsenal could be affected as they aim to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since the 2003/04 season and the simple answer is a points deduction for City would give Mikel Arteta’s side a huge advantage in this year’s title race.
However, as the over 115 alleged FFP breaches cover a nine-year period between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, there’s no chance Man City will be stripped of last season’s Premier League title, and in any case, The Independent’s Miguel Delaney previously posted: “Figures involved don’t seem to think any prospective punishments would be retrospective or ‘looking backwards’ (ie stripping titles) but this is all described as ‘unprecedented'”.
Meanwhile, the defending Premier League champions have, this week, reiterated their stance since that they welcome a review: “On 6 February 2023, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4,” a passage reads from their annual report and financial report.
“In February 2023, in response to the charges, the Club issued a public statement that it welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”
Source : Football London
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