FOR the past 10 or so years, it’s been great to be a Manchester City fan. A new owner signalled a change in the club’s fortunes, allowing it to get superstar signings and must-have managers. The trophy cabinet started to get packed and acclaim and accolades came in thick and fast, much like the fans filling the Etihad Stadium.
But clouds have come rolling into the Sky Blues’ grounds and the club is accused of breaking several rules to secure its status as the best of the best. If the shocking allegations are found to be true, it would be the biggest scandal in English Premier League history.
At the heart of the matter is the fact that City allegedly broke more than 100 league rules requiring it to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.
The club didn’t do that nor did it cooperate during the investigation, English Premier League bosses allege. And, among other things, it’s been spending more than it’s allowed to, giving it an unfair advantage over other clubs, it’s claimed.
If City is found guilty of breaking the rules, the club could face a hefty fine, a points deduction that could take it to the relegation zone – or even expulsion from the English Premier League, which would also prevent them from playing in the Champions League.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought City in 2008 and is accused of disguising his personal funding to the club.
CHANGING FORTUNES
Esta historia es de la edición 23 February 2023 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 23 February 2023 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
