The introduction of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations in 2009 has significantly altered European football’s financial landscape.
Clubs with substantial resources must now adhere to stringent spending rules, or they risk severe penalties. With Manchester City currently on trial for alleged FFP breaches, let’s explore seven cases where clubs were punished for similar infractions. We’ll also delve into what Manchester City can expect if they are found guilty.
7. Nottingham Forest: A Relegation Battle
In January 2024, Nottingham Forest found themselves in trouble for exceeding allowable financial losses over a three-year period. The punishment? A four-point deduction, which dragged the club into a tense relegation battle. Forest narrowly avoided relegation, finishing just above the drop zone, but the breach showed how FFP violations could threaten a club’s survival in the top flight.
6. Everton: Multiple Point Deductions
Everton’s breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules earned them two separate point deductions during the 2023-24 season. Initially, they received a 10-point deduction, later reduced to six. In January 2024, a second breach resulted in an additional two-point deduction, making a total of eight points. Despite this setback, Everton managed to finish 15th, avoiding relegation.
5. Chelsea: A €10 Million Fine Under Abramovich
Chelsea was punished in 2023 for submitting incomplete financial information while Roman Abramovich was still in charge. The club, now under new ownership, faced a €10 million fine. Interestingly, the new owners reported the discrepancies themselves, showcasing a level of financial transparency often lacking in other clubs.
4. AC Milan: A Year Out of Europe
In 2019, AC Milan breached FFP regulations by failing to comply with spending rules between 2015 and 2018. As a result, they were banned from European competition for one year. This meant missing out on the Europa League during the 2019-20 season, despite finishing fifth in Serie A. Milan appealed the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but their efforts were unsuccessful.
3. Juventus: Banned from Europe
Juventus faced one of the most severe penalties in 2023 for financial irregularities. The Italian giants were not only fined €20 million but were also banned from participating in all European competitions for one year. This meant missing out on the 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League, with Fiorentina taking their place. Juventus’ fall from grace illustrates how FFP breaches can have long-lasting effects on a club’s fortunes.
2. Barcelona: Fined for Misreporting Profits
Barcelona was hit with a €500,000 fine in 2023 after it was discovered that they had wrongly reported profits on the disposal of intangible assets in the 2022 financial year. UEFA deemed this a violation of FFP regulations, as those types of profits should not have been counted. This fine further contributed to Barcelona’s well-publicized financial struggles.
1. Manchester United: Miscalculated Losses
In 2023, Manchester United was found guilty of miscalculating their losses between 2019 and 2022. Although the club admitted to the breaches, they were frustrated by UEFA’s refusal to properly account for the financial impact of the pandemic. United received a relatively light punishment of a €300,000 fine, highlighting how even the biggest clubs are not immune to financial scrutiny.
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Manchester City’s ongoing trial involves over 100 charges, ranging from failing to provide accurate financial information to breaching Premier League and UEFA regulations. With previous FFP breaches in 2020 leading to a €30 million fine and a two-year European ban (later overturned by CAS), City is no stranger to financial penalties. However, this current case is far more complex and could lead to unprecedented consequences.
Potential punishments include hefty fines, points deductions over multiple seasons, or even the stripping of past titles. While some speculate that expulsion from the Premier League is on the table, this outcome seems highly unlikely given the club’s importance to the league’s financial success.
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