Former Man City financial advisor claims the club will be ‘relegated AT LEAST’ if FFP charges are proven
- Manchester City will face Premier League action over 115 alleged offences
- Former legal adviser Stefan Borson said the allegations against City are ‘serious’
- CHRIS SUTTON: Don’t wait! Sir Jim Ratcliffe must now fire Erik ten Hag It all starts
A former Manchester City financial adviser has revealed that the charges against the club are on a ‘completely different scale’ to those of the rest of the league and that relegation could be the least of their worries.
The current reigning champions were charged by the Premier League in February with 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations after opening an investigation in 2018.
Throughout a long-running saga, the competition and the club have remained tight-lipped – with both declining to comment when contacted.
Speaking TalkSport Stefan Borson, formerly an advisor at Etihad, was asked how different City’s charge is compared to Everton and Nottingham Forest.
He replied: ‘The scale is on a completely different level. There is no doubt that if these allegations are proven, it will end in relegation at the very least!
Manchester City has been charged with 115 alleged violations by the Premier League
‘There is a conspiracy over a period of ten years. They suggest that City’s major sponsorship deals are not for £50-60m, but are actually £8m, and that the whole thing was a sham and a whole lot of people lied.
‘Many executives from multiple companies were involved. The club also lied to multiple parties, professionals, people who did due diligence for the company, the league, UEFA and the FA.
‘If it’s proven, this is super serious. No one would argue that. City themselves will say in their comments that this is an allegation of the most serious nature.”
Asked if they would clear their name, he added: “I think they will clear their name because a case of this nature must have a level of compelling evidence that seems to me impossible to present to an independent commission.
‘Furthermore, it seems to me highly unlikely that the alleged conduct took place over a ten-year period with the type of individuals involved in the club. That will also be the start of the independent committee.
“It is a huge stretch for any court or tribunal to suggest that this number of people have been so unfair.”
In November, Mail Sport revealed that City’s clash with the league was initially scheduled for late autumn 2024.
Throughout a long-running saga, the Premier League and the club have remained tight-lipped
Those with knowledge of the situation believe there may not be a conclusion until the end of next season, when City boss Pep Guardiola’s current contract expires.
It is understood that what has been a highly confidential process is currently at the stage where witness statements are being taken – which is likely to remain the case until next spring.
If the trial proceeds on time, the verdict is likely around the summer of 2025.
However, delays can cause the procedure to be further postponed. And should either side find the final outcome unpalatable, it would be difficult to imagine a world in which they would not be favored. Such a scenario would add a lot of time.
Should the need arise, City may be able to explore further avenues, although they would not be able to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where they were successful in overturning their UEFA-imposed ban from the Champions League.