Will Man City Investigation Lead to Punishment?
2024 Manchester City Specials: Odds Related to EPL Investigation
Alleged Dark Cloud Hangs Over Man City Achievements
Manchester City’s on-field achievements have been unmatched by any other club in English football history. Under Pep Guardiola, they’ve won the Premier League six times in eight EPL seasons.
City are also the first English club to win four league titles in a row. However, they have been charged with 115 breaches of Financial Fair Play which may lead to punishment.
Premier League chief Richard Masters stated the case will be heard in the “near future”. We’ll take a look at the 2024 Manchester City Specials to see the EPL odds for potential punishments.
What is Manchester City Accused of?
In the period from 2009-10 to 2017-18, during which Manchester City finished in first place in the EPL standings three times, City are being charged with 54 breaches regarding failure to provide accurate financial information.
During that same period, they’ve allegedly failed to provide accurate details for player/manager payments 14 times.
From 2013-14 to 2017-18 the Premier League accused City of failing to comply with UEFA’s rules five times.
Plus, City are alleged to have broken the EPL’s Profit and Sustainability rules seven times from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Lastly, Manchester City may have also obstructed the Premier League’s investigation and dragged their feet. The Premier League has charged them 35 times for failing to cooperate with investigations from 2018-2023.
These are all serious charges stemming from financial irregularities. Still, Manchester City continue to claim they are innocent.
Manchester City to be Fined?
The first of the 2024 Manchester City Specials is Manchester City to be fined. That potentiality currently stands at +200 odds. If they are guilty of these charges and only escape with a fine, it would certainly set a dangerous precedent.
Manchester City to Face Points Deduction?
It’s certainly possible Manchester City are both fined and face a points deduction. City breaking Premier League rules would be incredibly serious. Even so, the EPL may still have a financial interest in City remaining in the league.
For comparison, Everton received a 10 point deduction last season for an overspend of £19.5 million on their stadium.
These Manchester City charges are much more serious and the EPL would have to give a much bigger points deduction to maintain a semblance of dignity.
- At +350 odds, Man City could receive a bigger point deduction. It could undoubtedly influence Manchester City’s standings but likely not their place in the league.
Manchester City to be Relegated?
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson believes that Man City will face relegation, at the very least, if they are guilty as charged.
A Man City expulsion from the Premier League shows +1500 odds and it’s the first punishment that could drastically alter the future of the club.
Should Man City be relegated, it could set a strong precedent and deter other clubs from breaking FFP.
However, Borson believes it is “highly unlikely” City engaged in these activities.
Manchester City Trophies Rescinded?
Juventus famously had their 2004-05 and 2005-06 Serie A titles revoked for their part in the Calciopoli scandal that rocked Italian soccer.
If guilty and the Premier League finds that these breaches gave Manchester City a big competitive advantage, they could rescind City’s titles.
The charges range from 2009 to 2023, which includes seven first place finishes in the EPL standings for City, three FA Cups and six EFL cups. At the moment, Man City to have at least a trophy rescinded is priced at +2000 odds.
Man City to Fold?
This is where we’re entering highly speculative territory and it’s certainly not likely according to the 2024 Manchester City Specials. City to fold sits at +3300 odds and that would only be possible in the case that the fine is insurmountable.
If City are found guilty, Premier League clubs could file compensation claims against Manchester City which could be in excess of £1 billion.
Just this week, Man City have launched their own legal action against the Premier League, which would be relevant in the event they need to raise cash. City are fighting rules that restrict companies connected to owners of football clubs from inflating the market value for sponsorship agreements.
Pep Guardiola to Face Prison Time?
Pep Guardiola and his family are highly entwined with City Group, the entity that owns Manchester City and 11 other football clubs worldwide.
Pere Guardiola, Pep’s brother, is the chairman of City Group-owned club Girona. Girona and Man City will both be playing in the Champions League next season.
Pep has already said he’d leave Man City if they’re found guilty of the charges. Guardiola seems to believe City are innocent. Pep personally seems to have little to do with City’s finances and we highly doubt he’ll be implicated in any kind of criminal sense if they’re found guilty. Still, Guardiola to face prison time shows +10000 odds.
For EPL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
