‘The biggest crime you can get’ – Man City’s 115-charge FFP case compared to Juventus cheating scandal as Pep Guardiola’s side are told they’re ‘not too big’ to be punished with relegation

Manchester City’s financial conduct has come under unprecedented scrutiny, with the Premier League charging the reigning champions with 115 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. These accusations span nearly a decade, from 2009 to 2018, and include failing to provide accurate financial reports, misrepresenting sponsorship revenue, and non-disclosure of managerial wages. The severity of these claims has sent shockwaves through English football, raising questions about the club’s financial operations and its dominance in recent years.

The Premier League’s case against City represents the most extensive investigation into financial wrongdoing in English football history. The governing body accuses the club of systematically manipulating financial records to evade FFP restrictions, allowing them to spend beyond sustainable limits. Such actions, if proven, could undermine the very fabric of fair competition within the league.

Comparisons have been drawn between Manchester City’s case and one of the most infamous scandals in football history—the 2006 Calciopoli scandal involving Juventus. The Italian giants were found guilty of influencing referee appointments to gain favorable decisions in matches. As a result, Juventus was relegated to Serie B and stripped of two Serie A titles, demonstrating that even football’s most prestigious clubs are not immune to severe punishments.

While the nature of the allegations against City differs from Juventus’ wrongdoing, the fundamental issue remains the same: an alleged attempt to gain an unfair advantage through illicit means. Juventus’ case set a precedent that no club, regardless of its stature or financial power, is beyond reproach. This has fueled speculation over whether City could face a similarly harsh punishment, including potential relegation from the Premier League.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, Manchester City has strongly denied any wrongdoing. The club released an official statement expressing surprise at the charges, emphasizing its cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation. “Manchester City FC 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,” the statement read.

City’s defense largely hinges on the notion that they have been unfairly targeted and that the Premier League’s case lacks substantive evidence. The club has previously challenged UEFA’s attempt to sanction them for FFP violations, successfully overturning a two-year European competition ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020. This history suggests that City is prepared to mount an aggressive legal defense to clear its name.

However, unlike UEFA, the Premier League operates under a different legal framework, with its independent commission handling cases without external interference. This means that even if City managed to escape UEFA’s sanctions, they could still face significant repercussions domestically if found guilty by the Premier League’s investigative panel.

The hearing into City’s alleged FFP breaches officially commenced in September 2024, with proceedings expected to continue until March 2025. A final verdict is anticipated later that year, and the outcome could have monumental consequences not only for City but for the entire Premier League. If the commission determines that City breached financial regulations on such a large scale, potential penalties could range from heavy fines and transfer bans to points deductions or even expulsion from the league.

The uncertainty surrounding the case has left many within the football world on edge. Rivals argue that if Manchester City is guilty, they should face the harshest possible punishment to maintain the integrity of English football. Others suggest that stripping them of past titles, much like Juventus in 2006, could be a fair course of action.

One of the biggest challenges facing the Premier League is ensuring that the punishment, if any, fits the severity of the crime. If City is found guilty and is only handed a financial penalty, critics may argue that such a sanction would not be a sufficient deterrent for clubs willing to flout financial regulations in pursuit of success. Conversely, an extreme punishment such as relegation could set a precedent that fundamentally changes how financial breaches are handled in football.

Pep Guardiola, City’s long-serving manager, has previously stated that he would leave the club if it was found guilty of financial misconduct. “If I ever found out that the club lied to me, I would leave,” Guardiola declared in 2023 when the charges first emerged. This statement adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing saga, as the Spaniard’s future could hinge on the commission’s findings.

Regardless of the final outcome, the case has reignited discussions about financial regulation in football. The Premier League, which prides itself on being the most competitive and commercially successful league in the world, now faces the challenge of proving that financial fairness is more than just an abstract principle. A failure to properly address Manchester City’s case could damage the league’s credibility and encourage other clubs to bend the rules.

At the heart of this controversy lies the broader debate about wealth disparity in football. Manchester City, backed by the financial might of Abu Dhabi, has transformed itself into one of the most dominant clubs in modern football. Their meteoric rise has been built on heavy investment in player recruitment, infrastructure, and commercial deals. Critics argue that if the club achieved its success through financial misrepresentation, it undermines the spirit of fair competition.

Meanwhile, City’s supporters have rallied behind the club, dismissing the charges as an orchestrated attack fueled by rival clubs and football authorities eager to curb their dominance. They point to UEFA’s failed attempt to punish City as evidence that the club is being unfairly targeted, suggesting that the Premier League’s case is another politically motivated move rather than a legitimate effort to enforce financial fairness.

The coming months will be pivotal in determining Manchester City’s fate. If found guilty, they could face consequences that reshape their future and send shockwaves through the footballing world. If exonerated, it could raise further questions about the effectiveness and fairness of football’s financial regulations. Either way, the case is set to become one of the most defining legal battles in the sport’s history.

For now, the footballing world waits anxiously for the verdict—one that could either reinforce or completely redefine financial accountability in football.