Club president Khaldoon Al Mubarak and director Ferran Soriano (foto: Getty Images)
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire provides insights on the high-stakes case surrounding Manchester City’s alleged violations, which could lead to unprecedented punishment.
Manchester City is under scrutiny for potentially serious financial violations, with speculation rife about possible penalties, including a point deduction of up to 100 points. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has weighed in on the case, offering his perspective on the possible outcomes for the reigning Premier League champions.
The charges stem from at least 115 alleged breaches, covering three key areas that are currently under judicial review:
The first and most serious charge involves accusations that City’s ownership injected capital into the club while falsely presenting it as sponsorship income. If proven, this would constitute a major fraud and could result in severe penalties, including a significant points deduction. Maguire notes that in extreme scenarios, such a deduction could reach 100 points, which would effectively relegate the club to League One.
For context, Everton and Nottingham Forest recently received point deductions for minor infractions, but City’s case is reportedly far more severe.
Maguire also addressed allegations of City using illicit payment methods, including paying players or their families through external companies owned by club officials. This tactic, commonly seen in football, involves clubs providing additional, unreported income by hiring family members in fictitious roles or compensating players through third-party businesses.
City’s management reportedly does not view this aspect of the case as particularly threatening, believing they can defend against it more easily.
The final charge involves accusations of withholding crucial information and deliberately misleading Premier League investigators. Maguire emphasizes that this could be City’s most difficult challenge, as numerous emails allegedly documenting these irregularities have been submitted as evidence. While City’s legal team argues that the emails were obtained illegally and should not be admissible, the content remains damning if accepted by the court.
Maguire explained: *“If Manchester City is found guilty, the entire board will have to resign, as they will be found guilty of misleading and lying to the commission.”*
When will the case be resolved?
The latest hearing was held at the end of December 2024, and a final verdict is expected in the first half of 2025. Maguire believes that if City is found guilty, the club will have little room for a successful appeal, given the weight of the evidence against them.