Izuchukwu OkosiPremier League champions, Manchester City on Monday were charged with over 100 breaches of regulations by the Football Association and could face points deductions or expulsion from the Premier League.
There were numerous financial irregularities proven but overturned or reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) largely due to statute of limitations.
According to the rulebook, City could face points deductions, fines, and even expulsion from the Premier League. And could even have their titles vacated.
City have also been charged with lying about Roberto Mancini’s salary and payments to Yaya Toure’s agent. These acts were a breach of Financial Fair play rules and in addition to that charge, they are being charged with obstruction.
In a lengthy and detailed statement, the Premier League announced that a four-year investigation had revealed the alleged improprieties over a period of time when City won Premier League titles in 2012, 2014 and 2018.
The league’s two-time defending champion and six-time champion since 2011-12, City is accused of not providing “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position” between 2009 and 2018 or giving “full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts” from 2009 to 2013, years when Roberto Mancini was manager.
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Other allegations include failing to comply with UEFA regulations from 2013 to 2018 and Premier League profitability and sustainability rules from 2015 to 18, and failing to assist with the Premier League’s investigation into the club from December 2018 to the present day.
Manchester City said it is “surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.”
Premier League rules give an independent disciplinary commission the power to impose penalties. If the allegations are proven true, a hefty fine seems likely, with additional possibilities that could include a point deduction, the nullification of a title or even expulsion from the league.
“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position,” the club’s statement continued. “As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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