UEFA warned that Man City's FFP charges could lead to Premier League 'mutiny'

By SABC Sport
20th November 2023

UEFA has received a stern warning that any outcome arising from the Premier League's allegations against Manchester City could lead to "serious unrest" among its member clubs.

The caution comes in the wake of Everton's recent points deduction by the league for a breach of Financial Fair Play rules, reigniting speculation on how this decision might influence potential sanctions against City if the allegations are proven.

Manchester City has been accused by the Premier League of nearly a decade of misrepresenting their finances to football authorities.

The club vehemently denies any wrongdoing and is set to defend its position at an independent tribunal tasked with evaluating the evidence.

This investigation by the Premier League mirrors a previous examination by UEFA, which in 2020 found City in breach of financial fair play rules and recommended a two-year Champions League ban.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned this decision, clearing City of all charges except for non-cooperation with the UEFA investigation.

The renewed focus on financial fair play issues and potential consequences for Manchester City raises concerns about the stability within UEFA and its member clubs, prompting fears of a mutiny if the case unfolds unfavourably for the Premier League champions.

"There are different dynamics present that control the decision-making of all stakeholders," Dr Gregory Ioannidis and Dr Dan Plumley wrote in the International Sports Law Review.

"Whatever the result of the present dispute, it is almost certain that UEFA will face serious unrest from its member clubs to a point of mutiny.

"The financial prowess of football clubs such as Manchester City, with the expert lawyers taking apart the inefficiency and complexity of the regulations (contra preferentem comes to mind), can only demonstrate how weak such regulations are in their application."

They added: "It would not be good enough for the Premier League to argue that Manchester City failed to co-operate with the Premier League™s investigation.

"The Premier League would have to go beyond this, by proving that Manchester City, as a matter of fact and evidence, failed to produce accurate financial information (and/or lied about it) in relation to their revenue, within the meaning of the current regulations."