Manchester City

The 2019 F.A. Cup final was “their moment,” as the team's long-serving captain, Troy Deeney, had put it. Like most of his teammates, Deeney had never won a ...

It is not just that the integrity of the whole activity rests on a common acceptance of the rules — the assumption that everyone, be they teams or athletes, are competing under the same conditions — it is that the very meaning rests on it. That City was better is not in question. Three years later, City beat Sunderland to the League Cup. Stoke City lost the F.A. If — and it is if, at this stage — Manchester City is found guilty, though, then the punishments can begin: The panel, according to the league’s statutes, has free rein to issue whatever penalty it sees fit. They are, after all, the most successful clubs in English history, able to console themselves with myriad different glories. The final was portrayed as the apex of But the idea that when tyranny is law, revolution is duty does not hold, not in sports. It would not, in that case, be merely City that suffered. But then the willing suspension of disbelief is the F.A. Winning was unlikely, of course — “massive underdogs,” Deeney had called his team — given that Manchester City, the repeat Premier League champion, stood in the way. It is different, though, if they find out one side wasn’t playing by the same rules.

City said on Monday they were "surprised" to have been charged by the Premier League with 101 alleged breaches of financial rules spanning from 2009/10 to 2017/ ...

Finally, the club are alleged to have breached league rules requiring member clubs to co-operate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations, from December 2018 to date. The second set of breaches listed refers to alleged breaking of rules "requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager" related to seasons 2009-10 to 2012-13 inclusive. Manchester City are alleged to have breached league rules requiring provision "in utmost good faith" of "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position".

As demonstrations of self-regulation go the Premier League's decision to hit current title holders Manchester City with 100 charges was a bold statement of ...

Because it’s not in the interests of Premier League clubs to remove an anti-competitive safety net. More equitable distribution of the vast wealth further down would help solve this issue, but there is little will from the clubs to do so. Going after Manchester City is not a demonstration it can regulate itself, it is the clubs at the top of the division acting in their self-interest. Like a marina in Monaco or a bank account in the Cayman Islands, if you have the money to buy a hundred-year-old English establishment it’s almost a point of principle that questions won’t be asked about the source of your income or what you intend to do with it. Part of the reason billionaires flock to buy these teams is the lack of rules around who can own a club or what they can do with it. There is one pretty glaring exception to the majority in favor of a regulatory overhaul; the clubs, or perhaps to be more specific, the owners.

Watford's players sat silent, disconsolate in the Wembley changing room. The 2019 FA Cup final was “their moment”, as the team's long-serving captain, ...

What is at stake, instead, is whether they were in a position to reach all of those finals, to win all of those trophies, while operating under the same rules and restrictions as everyone else. It is not just that the integrity of the whole activity rests on a common acceptance of the rules — the assumption that everyone, be they teams or athletes, are competing under the same conditions — it is that the very meaning rests on it. Three years later, City beat Sunderland to the League Cup. It is possible, of course, to disagree with those rules, to feel that they are arbitrary or antiquated or written by a self-interested elite to protect their own positions, the view that City (among others) have taken of soccer’s attempts at cost control. Stoke City lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City in 2011. They are, after all, the most successful clubs in English history, able to console themselves with myriad different glories. But they would not be the only ones to have lost out. If — and it is if, at this stage — Manchester City is found guilty, though, then the punishments can begin: The panel, according to the league’s statutes, has free rein to issue whatever penalty it sees fit. But the idea that when tyranny is law, revolution is duty does not hold, not in sports. It would not, in that case, be merely City that suffered. And so, too, are the potential consequences. The final was portrayed as the apex of Deeney’s personal redemption arc.

The Premier League has charged Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation.

be confidential and heard in private," the Premier League said in a statement. FFP regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players. City are alleged to have breached rules relating to the provision of accurate financial information, "in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs", the league said.

While awaiting the outcome, City had won the league three times and, according to Deloitte, become the richest club in football by revenues. But on Monday, the ...

For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here. You'll enjoy access to several newsletters including FirstFT, a daily newsletter with the global stories you need to know as well as Editor's Choice, a weekly newsletter featuring the editor's favourite stories. Access our essential offering with over 600 journalists in 50+ countries covering markets, politics, business, tech and more.

Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany on the Premier League charging his former club with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules: I kind of ...

Finally, the club are alleged to have breached league rules requiring member clubs to co-operate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations, from December 2018 to date. The second set of breaches listed refers to alleged breaking of rules "requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager" related to seasons 2009-10 to 2012-13 inclusive. The fourth set of alleged breaches relates to the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules in seasons 2015-16 to 2017-18 inclusive. Manchester City are alleged to have breached league rules requiring provision "in utmost good faith" of "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position". City said on Monday they were "surprised" to have been charged by the Premier League with 101 alleged breaches of financial rules. Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany on the Premier League charging his former club with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules: "I kind of look at it and roll my eyes a little bit"; Burnley boss also added: "Football can't afford to point the finger too many times"