One of the most anticipated trials in the soccer world started on Monday: Manchester City faces 115 charges of breaching the financial fair play rules of the Premier League-a case that seems destined to shake up the league behind the scenes for months. Now, the team that has dominated the pitch in recent years faces a tough battle off it, one that could directly impact its future.
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The beginning of a prolonged trial
After months of speculation, hearings have finally begun to address the 115 accusations against Manchester City for alleged financial misconduct between 2009 and 2018. Great expectations are drawn in, not only about what potential decisions will be made, but also about the fallout this could have on the overall prestige of the Premier League. It may very well be a two-month trial weighing in with the heft of a watershed moment in modern soccer.
Pre-trial sessions have been taking place via an independent commission, behind closed doors, with decisions and debates taking place under lock and key.
What's at stake for Manchester City?
This period under review coincides with the years that the club is considered to have transformed into a powerhouse in soccer, having won several major titles. However, it has accused the club of serious misconduct in properly declaring revenues, contracts for players and coaches, and allegedly camouflaging some expenses so that they may not be viewed as a breach of the league's financial sustainability rule.
The punishments City will face, if found guilty, run from fines to points deductions right through to expulsion in the worst of cases. It is not clear what any punishment will finally end up being, which in itself remains another cause for concern both for the club and its supporters.
As might be expected, Manchester City has denied all charges with considerable vigor. Earlier statements from the club explained their surprise at the accusations and their belief that a favorable conclusion would be reached by the commission. Pep Guardiola, coach of the team, has also shown optimism, expressing a wish that the case be brought to an end as soon as possible. But this attitude is in dramatic contrast to the weight of the charges.
The punishment meted on the club would not only dent its present performances but might mar the reputation it has managed to build over the years. The glittering sheen of titles won amidst shrouded controversies could turn into a rending cycle of suspicion and doubts.
Possible consequences that May happen to the Premier League
However, this court case means so much more to the future of the entire Premier League rather than just Manchester City. The league has conventionally been thought of as one of the world's strongest and best-governed, but this investigation brings its FFP rules under the spotlight. What finally would be a representation of how effectively or ineffectively financial sustainability rules are being policed comes in the fact that a decision involving one of the biggest clubs in the world's top soccer league may finally reverberate across other competitions and leagues.
In that case, any punishment to Manchester City would also create a scandal off the pitch that the league would have to cope with. A very clear signal would be given to the other clubs attempting to bend the rules in pursuit of financial and sporting success. But the moment it gets away with little more than a rap across the knuckles, then the Premier League is in danger of losing all credibility - and supporters, not to mention other clubs, may begin to wonder if it pays any attention at all to some of its rules.
Scenarios and possible punishments
If it proves that Manchester City breached the system, then a number of options are available. The punishments can vary from financial sanctions and deducting points to relegation from the Premier League. While more extreme consequences seem a little far-fetched, they simply cannot be disregarded.
One open question is the stripping of titles. Though the regulations of the Premier League do not contemplate this aspect, for many, the removal of titles is an adequate punishment once the evidence is proved, in cases where the league regulations do not spell this out clearly.
Another issue is that, quite conceivably, City will appeal any sentence on appeal. This has the effect of dragging out the process even longer, pushing any final resolution further down the road, and prolonging the uncertainty.
How this case could redefine modern soccer
Whatever the verdict, the case is already changing the topography of European soccer: Guilty or not, it already represents proof, if any were needed, that even the most powerful clubs are not impervious to financial scrutiny. If proven, this use of off-the-books resources opens questions as to how money is changing the sport and what the limits are that clubs can or cannot cross in pursuit of success.
This isn't an isolated incident. For the past decade or so, European football has been increasingly scrutinized over club finances as leagues put tighter restrictions in place to keep the sport fair and competitive. Were Manchester City found guilty, it would be further testimony to the fact that the game off the pitch is merely just as complicated and defining as the one on it.