– Some of the charges are serious. One can only speculate, but it is difficult to imagine anything other than them being moved down, says Harry Arne Solberg, who is a professor at NTNU and an expert on football economics. The light blue part of Manchester is holding its breath from Monday. Then the hearing starts on the much-discussed 115 charges against Manchester City, the club Erling Braut Haaland is scoring goals for. The accusations largely concern breaches of the financial rules in the Premier League in the period 2009 to 2018. The light blues have maintained their innocence throughout. In the aforementioned period, the club lifted the Premier League trophy three times. – With such a long list of accusations, it must be done well to be acquitted on all counts. It mostly depends on how much they are sentenced for. It is close to believe that they will be moved down a division or two. It’s in the cards, says Solberg. They are accused of this. Among the accusations is that the club overreported sponsorship income and entered into illegal sponsorship agreements. In addition, the club is accused of having given former manager Roberto Mancini double his salary in secret. They are also accused of not having cooperated during the investigation, but instead being an obstacle along the way. No less than 35 of the accusations are to be related to this. The hearing against Manchester City These are the financial violations Manchester City is accused of: 54 violations of the rules related to providing correct information about the club’s finances in the period 2009 to 2018. 14 violations of the rules related to providing correct information about payments to players and coaches in the period 2009 to 2018. Five breaches of the European Football Association’s (Uefa) Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules in the period 2013 to 2018. Seven breaches of the Premier League’s regulations for profitability and sustainability (PSR) in the period 2015 to 2018. 54 breaches relating to the rules on cooperating and assisting the Premier League during an investigation in the period from December 2018 to February 2023. The hearing is expected to last ten weeks. A decision is expected to be made early in 2025. Should the case end in a conviction, it could lead to serious criminal penalties. In the worst case, Manchester City could be thrown out of the Premier League. Manchester City have always maintained their innocence. Source: NTB – It’s not something we talk about (in the dressing room). I’m glad it’s starting and it’s going to be talked about a lot. We’ll see. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, manager Pep Guardiola stressed at a recent press conference. A decision is expected from the Premier League in the new year and the hearing will last ten weeks, according to the BBC. FOCUSED: Pep Guardiola claims the team is only focusing on the sporting side in an otherwise turbulent time for Manchester City. Photo: Hannah McKay / Reuters – It will be controversial regardless, news’s football writer, Thore Haugstad, believes the consequences will be great if Manchester City is judged on several points. He also refers to the extensive case as unique in the history of the Premier League. – How big the risk is of relegation, fine or point deduction is speculation. It is worth noting that the hearing will be closed, so we will not gain insight into the case unless things are leaked, says Haugstad. BIG CONSEQUENCES: Football writer Thore Haugstad is one of several who believe that Manchester City can expect severe punishment if they are found guilty. He believes that regardless of what happens in connection with the hearing, there will be noise in the background. – It will be controversial no matter what the verdict is. If they are acquitted, there will probably be conspiracy theories and people will say that they have escaped again. If they are found guilty, it is a sporting scandal. It will cast a shadow over those years of success and titles. There is extremely much at stake for the Premier League, believes the football writer. NTNU professor Harry Arne Solberg points out that the Rangers were punished mercilessly when they were sentenced to pay a significant amount of tax they did not have the means to pay. The club then went bankrupt and was moved down four divisions in Scotland. – Then there was no dear mother. Many clubs in Scotland lost millions on this, since Celtic and Rangers were the two big clubs, he explains. The expert believes that there could be a snowball effect if City were to be acquitted on all counts. – One may be tempted to do the same, and with that an already aggressive club operation continues, says Solberg. IN TROUBLE: Manchester City’s club leaders face a nerve-wracking time. Here represented by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and managing director Ferran Soriano. Photo: Lee Smith / Reuters The odds market with a clear message There has long been speculation as to how the club could possibly be punished if they are found guilty of one or more charges. – It is a case that has been going on for many years, and I think it goes without saying that all questions will be answered. It is time to get clarity on the matter. When the hearing is completed, a decision will be made public, and then all questions that you want me to answer will be, said Premier League boss Richard Masters to the BBC recently. There is no doubt that the betting market is closely following what is happening in the light blue part of Manchester. According to Norsk Tipping’s overview, there are “only” eight teams that are more likely to end up in last place in the series. Teams such as Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and West Ham are given greater opportunities to stay in good company than Haaland & co. STAR GALLERY: Erling Braut Haaland celebrates one of his many goals with Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji. Photo: Hannah McKay / Reuters Player flight? Haugstad believes that the Premier League will, to a certain extent, come out of the hearing as a loser, regardless of how it ends. – Just the fact that we who follow football have to have that case hanging over makes it a special season, and there will be a legal controversy in the spring. Many think it is unfair that Everton received a penalty so early. If Everton gets a points penalty, while City goes free, then many will say City has the best lawyers, Haugstad believes. – It is a terrible case for PL and everyone who follows it, he continues. He nevertheless comes with a reminder that it is far from certain that City will finish as a top club if they were to be moved down to level two in England. He does not believe that there will necessarily be an exodus of players. – It’s more about whether Pep stays or not, then you can win titles again within a year. It is important to remember that regardless of the punishment, they will end up on their feet again very quickly, says Haugstad. Published 16.09.2024, at 05.36
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Fateful days for Erling Braut Haaland and Manchester City – expert predicts relegation – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
