Some Premier League clubs are pushing for a fresh investigation into Manchester City's finances covering the period from 2018 onwards, while others are resisting the move, leaving clubs at odds over the matter.
In September, the Premier League confirmed City had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them. The club has appealed the ruling and continues to maintain it possesses the evidence to clear itself of the charges.
Original inquiry and new calls
The original inquiry centred on Premier League financial rule violations between 2009 and 2018, with additional charges of failing to cooperate with investigations also brought against the club. Now, certain Premier League clubs are calling on the division to scrutinise City's finances from 2018 onwards to establish whether any further rules have been breached.
According to the Independent, some officials believe launching a second investigation covering the past eight seasons would place the sport in an uncomfortable 'dilemma.' A central element of the independent commission's verdict concerned how City utilised 'sham' sponsorship arrangements that were concealed as owner investment.
Executives question practices
Numerous executives are questioning whether the club had ceased such practices in 2018, with one source reportedly asking, "What changed overnight?" The Independent Commission also determined City and its Abu Dhabi-based sponsors were 'related parties' and, assuming the relationships remained unchanged, many believe this could form the basis for additional charges in future seasons.
Given the current saga remains unresolved, nearly three years after the Premier League made public their allegations against City, some also reckon launching another protracted investigation could prove damaging for the sport. There is already widespread disenchantment about the current campaign owing to the uncertainty surrounding City.
Potential penalties and next steps
Penalties have yet to be imposed on the club, and there is also apprehension they will challenge any sanction levied against them, which could drag the saga out indefinitely once more. Many believe it would be preferable for the Premier League if a line were drawn under the charges once and for all.
From the 2017-18 season onwards, Pep Guardiola presided over one of the most dominant sides in Premier League history, securing all six of his Premier League titles during the eight-year spell that some executives are calling for scrutiny. While some are advocating for further inquiries to be initiated, others want to exercise patience and allow the first to reach its conclusion.
Others have also reportedly floated the idea that the threat of a second investigation could serve as useful leverage should City continue to prolong the case. Furthermore, given that the evidence underpinning the initial investigation stemmed from a series of leaked emails via Football Leaks, originally published by Der Spiegel in 2018 (covering the period between 2009 and 2018), some suggest the same calibre of evidence that triggered the first probe may not exist for a subsequent one.
A verdict on City's sanction and appeal hearing is anticipated in the New Year, with possible penalties spanning from a points deduction to a substantial fine or even expulsion from the Premier League.
