Is Guardiola's treble at risk? Pressure grows in the Premier League for a second investigation into Manchester City
After being found guilty of 114 breaches between 2009 and 2018, Premier League executives are pushing to also investigate Manchester City's recent seasons, suspecting its inflated sponsorships never stopped.
Just as the biggest financial case in English football history seemed to be entering its final stretch, a new front threatens to shake the Etihad Stadium. While Manchester City awaits the outcome of its appeal after being found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges against it, a growing group of Premier League executives is pushing for a new investigation into the club's finances from 2018 to the present.
The original case was limited to 2009–2018, the period covered by the emails leaked by Der Spiegel in November 2018 that triggered it. For that period, the independent commission found the club received more than £900 million in funding from its Abu Dhabi owners disguised as sponsorship deals.
'What changed overnight?'
Rival executives have put one question on the table: what changed overnight after 2018? Clubs are asking how the irregular practices could have stopped abruptly that year when City's reported commercial income stayed at similar levels in the following seasons. The commission also found that the club and its Abu Dhabi sponsors were 'related parties', which could support further charges if those relationships continued.
The golden era under suspicion
Opening that Pandora's box would cast suspicion over the most dominant era in the club's history under Pep Guardiola. From the 2018–19 season onwards, City won five league titles, including England's first four in a row, and the historic 2023 treble that brought its first Champions League.
A bargaining chip?
Not everyone agrees: some think rival executives are getting ahead of themselves and the current case should be settled first, while others argue there are no clear grounds for a new investigation without evidence like the leaked emails. There are also fears a second case could take five years or more.
That is why several see the threat as a bargaining chip for the Premier League: if a severe punishment is being negotiated, the league could offer not to investigate the post-2018 seasons as a concession. Sanctions have not yet been set, but voices such as former striker Emile Heskey are already talking about a 60-point deduction or even relegation. City denies any wrongdoing and is confident in its appeal.
Sources: Yahoo Sports: Man City could face further charges as Premier League confronted with 'dilemma' · Wikipedia: Manchester City F.C. financial breaches scandal · Football365: Man City FFP, 60-point deduction tipped
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