Manchester City: FA Reaction and Implications
BBC Sport - Manchester City have been found guilty of breaking Premier League rules, with the FA stating the verdict has "significant implications for the integrity of the game."
Key Takeaways:
- FA Statement: "We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate."
- Guilty Verdict: City were found guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial regulations between 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
- Appeal: City have until Friday to appeal the decision.
- Sponsorship Claims: Sources suggest City will claim key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government, not the club owners.
- Scheme Details: The independent panel found City arranged "sham contracts" to disguise secret funding of over £830m.
- Premier League Response: The Premier League states City "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade."
Additional Insights:
- The independent commission reported City "utilised devices" to "disguise the true extent of certain club liabilities."
- The Treasury Committee has asked HMRC if they have requested the redacted documents from the commission's report.
- A report from Tax Policy Associates suggests City could face an additional £12m in unpaid tax and a penalty charge of £24m.