Manchester City have clearly evaded all punishments for breach of FFP rules and for obstructing the governing body from holding their own investigations.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a two-year ban from UEFA competitions and reduced their €30 million fine to €10 million.
Many were questioning the decision after plenty of leaked emails showed just how badly they were exaggerating sponsorship deals to fit the financial legalities. The Cityzens claimed innocence to the entire thing and appealed to the CAS for the charges. A 93-page document was revealed behind why City’s charges were reduced significantly, stating, “The majority of the panel finds that MCFC’s failure to cooperate with the CFCB’s investigation is a severe breach, and that MCFC is to be seriously reproached for obstructing the CFCB’s investigations.”
CAS did not write off UEFA charges and called them a “legitimate basis to prosecute”. Evidence were pretty clear given how City had buffed financial numbers from their sponsors – Etihad Airways and Etisalat. The judgement ruled both charges regarding the two companies as “time-barred”, in short, ruled out by a technicality.
City’s behaviour during the investigation was “strongly condemned” by the CAS and the sole reason behind them paying the €10 million. Their “blatanat disregard” in cooperating with the officials are not to be tolerated in future scenarios and the fine amount is expected to set an example for all other football clubs.
The Manchester-based outfit are tipped to be back stronger than ever now after a couple of pretty mellow transfer windows. Pep Guardiola is already being handed a £150 million transfer kitty for the summer, to make improvements and finally sign a replacement for Vincent Kompany. Conceding the league title so easily this season will be something Guardiola will want to answer in the next one. City still have a chance of earning some silverware this campaign as they face Real Madrid in the Champions Leauge knockout stage on 7 August.
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