Welcome to the second chapter in the ongoing story of Manchester City and the case of the financial regulations. This is a case that could have serious implications for the entire edifice of English football and nation-state club ownership models.
It’s been two years since Uefa handed down their two-year ban from the Champions League for perceived financial irregularities, and now the Premier League has taken up the mantle, with a new set of charges that could have a huge impact on the club.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the charges, the process, and what it could mean for the future of English football. We’ll also examine the arguments from both sides, explore the potential consequences, and look at the wider implications of nation-state club ownership models.
The charges against Manchester City are serious and could have far-reaching consequences. The Premier League has the power to impose fines, dock points, strip titles, and even relegate City if the charges are proven. While City have already seen one guilty verdict overturned on the same issues, the Premier League has been able to gather more evidence than Uefa had at their disposal.
It’s important to note that the financial rules are in themselves unjust, and that this is simply a way of hoarding the wealth, protecting the cartel, and excluding newcomers. But the idea that the rules can simply be ignored if you have the means and the power is morally repugnant.
There are other costs here too. If City are found guilty of cooking the books over an entire era of English football success, they will have pretty much snuffed out the idea of robust sporting competition, of sport as something uplifting, open and accessible from any level.
Ultimately, this case has huge implications for the future of English football and the nation-state club ownership model. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops, so stay tuned for more updates.
Source: www.theguardian.com