Report from American newspaper The Athletic talk say Manchester City dem find guilty for financial violations. Di news quick spread among Fluminense fans for social media. Fluminense lose 2023 Club World Cup final 4-0, so di possibility say Tricolor go be declared champion of di tournament make dem celebrate online.
But until now, no any sign say dem go revalue di title wey English side win. Dis na because di decision never official and sanctions never set. Fifa get mechanisms to give global effect to some sanctions wey national federations and bodies apply. But dat no mean say if Premier League punish Manchester City with points loss, relegation or another punishment, e go automatically carry go competitions wey Fifa organize.
On di other side, one disciplinary opening dey. If competition end, e no necessarily stop Fifa from investigating later possible infraction related to di tournament. Fifa Disciplinary Code even talk say dem fit withdraw titles as punishment. So Fifa get tools to touch title wey already won. But before dis scenario reach 2023 Club World Cup, a specific process and disciplinary base must reach Manchester City participation or title for dat competition. Nothing like dat dey now.
City no reach 2023 World Cup because dem win Premier League. Qualification come from 2022/23 Champions League title wey dem win over Inter Milan. After that, di English club beat Fluminense 4-0 for final wey dem play for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. If dem withdraw di Champions League title for dat year, e fit open direct discussion about City qualification for World Cup. But Uefa no dey contest di 2023 European title currently.
Even if hypothetically Fifa remove di World Cup from Manchester City, Fluminense no go automatically become champion. Competition regulations no talk say if winner lose title, e go transfer directly to runner-up. For situations wey dem no plan for, na Fifa go determine consequences. Also no similar precedent for competitions wey Fifa organize. No record of club world champion or national team champion wey later lose title and see am automatically handed to vice.
So legally, space dey for Fifa to apply punishment wey fit reach title already won. Wetin no dey, until now, na process wey connect accusations Manchester City face for England to 2023 World Cup.
Premier League commission consider di club guilty for 114 out of 115 accusations. Removal of trophies no dey ruled out. Rodri, wey now dey Barcelona, defend Manchester City against accusations say club violate Premier League financial rules. Independent commission find club guilty for 114 of 115 charges, decision wey fit cost titles won between 2009 and 2018.
Rodri talk for press conference on Friday 25 before England vs Spain for Wembley for Nations League. He argue say titles from period of infractions suppose remain. ‘I believe for justice system and innocence of di club. Nobody fit collect wetin we do, na something money no fit buy, na effort, partnership and standing side by side every day buy am,’ di Spanish midfielder talk. ‘We get plenty success over di years and I can talk say everything na deserved. We get one of di best periods of English football,’ e add.
Premier League rules provide fines, points deduction, suspensions and even expulsion from league as possible punishment. Di text also allow ‘any other penalty wey dem consider appropriate’, wey open way for title removal. Three English championships, one FA Cup, three English League Cups and two English Super Cups wey City win between 2009 and 2018 dey at stake, period wey commission point out. British press reveal di verdict on Friday 25 before official league statement. Accusations involve inaccurate financial information and payments wey no detailed to players and coaches. Commission also point out overpricing for sponsorship contracts linked to club owners for Abu Dhabi and lack of cooperation from City with investigation since 2018.
Rodri leave Manchester City after last season, with 13 titles in seven years for club, including four Premier League trophies. Today di English club get another ex-Brazilian from Palmeiras: Allan score and give assist on im debut for City. Na Rodri score di goal wey guarantee first Champions League title for 2022/23, in 1-0 win over Inter Milan for final. For Barcelona, im current club, campaign also dey victories. Premier League never officially talk on di case. Next step na to publish di penalties, wey fit include removal of titles from period of infractions.
From 114 of 115 accusations of violating Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018, according to independent commission of di league. Yes. Di regulation allow ‘any other penalty wey dem judge appropriate’, wey open way to remove trophies from period of infractions. Rodri believe for justice system and innocence of club, and say titles wey dem win na deserved and dem no fit collect am. Di league never officially talk; next step na publication of penalties.
Noel Gallagher, founder of Oasis and known Manchester City supporter, talk say e ‘very surprised and sad’ after club considered guilty for majority of 115 financial accusations. Di verdict leave di musician ‘in shock’ and make am beg for clemency, so dem no punish fans or players for ‘whatever happen for administration.’ For Let Me Talk podcast, Gallagher express surprise and sadness. ‘A little surprised, because club always guarantee us say dem go strongly deny any of these accusations,’ e talk. ‘So e shock me to discover say dem consider us guilty for all except one, but overall e quite sad, sad for fans and players.’
Di musician defend integrity of achievements on field. ‘Our focus as fans always dey for pitch and we know wetin we see: dem win for pitch. Whatever happen for administration no get anything to do with fans or players. Players win di game and win that title (2011/12) for pitch,’ e emphasize. Dem ask Gallagher if di verdict stain di achievements, e admit: ‘I suppose for eyes of everybody else for England, yes, but I know wetin I see and wetin I feel. If some of those players suppose dey there or no, dat no get anything to do with fans. We dey there, we know wetin we see.’
Manchester City dey prepare to appeal di decision, but expectation be say punishment go follow, with possibility of relegation as real scenario. Some people even dey ask make dem strip club of trophies wey dem win during di period. Di accusations refer to financial infractions between 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. Additional accusations for lack of cooperation with investigation extend from December 2018 to February 2023.
