Manchester City are facing punishment for their lavish transfer spending as it does not comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. The billionaire owner of Man City, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, is set to be found guilty of breaching FFP rules barring an improbable 11th-hour reprieve.
French outfit Paris Saint-Germain are also in considerable trouble over breaching FFP, with fewer than 20 other teams under examination with regards to their spending. City and PSG look set to be hit the hardest should they find themselves guilty for their actions. Neither team will face expulsion from the UEFA Champions League, but the severity of their punishment will be decided in the forthcoming days; either a huge fine or a transfer ban, thwarting their mega-rich owners from continuing to add to two of the most expensive squads in history.
City’s losses amount to £149 million during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, and while they have attempted to balance their books with deals such as a sponsorship with Etihad (£350 million pound deal over 10 years), City’s books are being heavily scrutinised as FFP does not allow transactions between clubs and businesses if they are linked to the owners unless it represents fair market value.
Clubs guilty of FFP will not be disclosed until the around the beginning of May, which then allows clubs to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. PSG have indicated already that they will do so.
Another worry for City and their fans is that rival teams are allowed to oppose decisions made against City, if they feel punishment is too lenient. Should Manchester City be allowed to contest the Champions League next year, teams around them may seek to challenge this decision by UEFA.
Having seen Barcelona slapped with a transfer ban only last week, Manchester City fans may be sitting on edge for the coming weeks, regardless of any title race.
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