Manchester City could face a sancitons from UEFA, after being found to have broken UEFA’s financial fair play rules.
In a report published in the Telegraph, it is thought that fewer than 20 clubs across Europe are being investigated for the rule break, including Manchester City and French big-spenders Paris Saint Germain.
It is understood City will not face exclusion from the Champions League, but will more likely face a heavy fine or a transfer embargo similar to that handed to Barcelona in recent weeks. The exact nature of the punishments are not thought to be disclosed by UEFA until May 5.
The ban will reflect financial breaches over the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, with City purchasing the likes of Sergio Agüero, Samir Nasri, Gaël Clichy, Javi Garcia and Matija Nastasic in that time period. The rules were enforced across European football to ‘stop greed, reckless spending and financial insanity.’
Barcelona have recently suffered a transfer embargo for illegal activity with regard to signing young players. A similar ban would directly hinder City’s chances of future silverware, as they will likely look to bring in more players after seemingly failing to reclaim the Premier League title.
The Citizens have been linked with many centre-backs across Europe as they look to find a permanent partner for captain Vincent Kompany. Current City regular Martin Demichelis has had many high-profile games in which his performances have been poor, leading to speculation of further signings.
But facing the same embargo as Barcelona is unlikely to have the same effect as it does on the Catalan giants, who can no longer look to bring in players to replace the likes of Victor Valdes and captain Carlos Puyol.
This, in addition to a potential third place finish in La Liga and having been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, makes for a tough year to endure for all connected with the club.
While City will have to wait until their albeit appealable punishment is revealed, focus must remain on trying to claw back ground in the Premier League title race.
If manager Manuel Pellegrini fails to add to City’s League Cup victory back in March, he may not be around to endure a potential transfer embargo this summer.
Source: HITCsport