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Manchester City ‘could be REJECTED from the EFL’ if kicked out of the Premier League, with the second, third and fourth tier of English football ‘no obligation’ to accept them
The English Soccer League would reportedly not be required to accept Manchester City as a member should the club be expelled from the Premier League for alleged breaches of financial rules.
The reigning champions were charged by the Premier League on Monday with more than 100 breaches of financial rules following a four-year investigation.
The charges cover a nine-season time period and relate to matters such as failing to provide accurate financial information on endorsement income and failing to disclose a manager’s actual salary.
City responded harshly, stating that they had “irrefutable proof” that they had done nothing wrong and that they hoped the matter would “be put to rest once and for all”.
An independent commission, made up of a panel of three, will rule on the charges in a private hearing.
The EFL would not have an obligation to accept Manchester City if they were sent off
The commission would have the power to strip City of titles, deduct points, issue fines and potentially expel City from the Premier League if the club is found guilty.
According the Telegraphthe EFL “would not be under an obligation to accept Manchester City” should the club be thrown out of the league, the most extreme punishment available.
Clubs must apply to become EFL members upon relegation from the Premier League at the end of the season, with the three promoted clubs becoming shareholders in the top flight.
The EFL, which governs the Championship, League One and League Two, would reportedly not have to automatically accept a club if it were kicked out of the Premier League, as only 72 clubs can be members.
The charges against the reigning champions relate to financial information on revenue, details of coach and player remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability and sustainability and cooperation with Premier League investigations.
A league statement said the alleged violations occurred from September 2009 through the 2017-18 season and will be referred to an independent commission.
It adds that the club is alleged to have breached league rules that require the provision “in the best faith” of “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position.”
In a statement on Monday, Manchester City said they were surprised by the alleged offences.
The city is accused of breaking financial rules more than 100 times in nine seasons (Sheikh Mansour pictured speaking with President Khaldoon Al Mubarak)
The potential range of penalties that the Commission could impose on Manchester City
It read: ‘Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuance of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive commitment and wealth of detailed materials that have been provided to the EPL.
‘The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the full body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
“As such, we hope this matter is put to rest once and for all.”
City declined to comment beyond his statement. It is understood, however, that there is a view within the club that the timing of the charges is not a coincidence.
The charges were announced a day before the government published a White Paper on soccer’s independent regulator.
That date has been pushed back to February 20 at the earliest.
The belief is that the charges may have sent a powerful message to Downing Street, prior to publication, that the Premier League is more than capable of running itself.
In February 2020, City were kicked out of the Champions League and fined £25m after it was found they had grossly misled European football’s governing body UEFA and breached the rules of fair play. financial.
This was later lifted by the court of arbitration for sport, which also reduced the club’s fine to £9 million.
The panel at the time said the city had shown “disregard” for the principle that clubs must cooperate with investigations by a governing body and carried out “obstruction of investigations”.
However, on the central finding by the CFCB adjudication chamber that the Abu Dhabi City property had disguised its own funding as independent sponsorship of state trading companies, the CAS found: “Most of the alleged infringements were not established or prescribed”.
However, Premier League rules state that there is no similar restriction on the time elapsed since an alleged offense occurred.