Man City 115 charges update as 'meeting' with Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal revealed
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Manchester City's hierarchy 'reject an explanation' over a dinner meeting between Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. The former Premier League champions are facing severe sanctions after being found guilty of 114 financial charges, but are currently appealing the ruling.United, Arsenal and Liverpool were three of only four clubs that instructed legal representatives to notify City that they had reserved their right to pursue compensation should they be found guilty back in 2024.
Make sure you don't miss the biggest sports news and strongest opinion by making the Daily Express one of your Google preferred sources It was captured in October 2017, which precedes the Premier League levelling 115 charges against City for breaching the league's financial regulations in February 2023, but falls within the 2009-18 timeframe covered by the investigation that resulted in them being found guilty on 114 counts last month.Liverpool owner John W. The remarks were said to be aimed as much at the hierarchies of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal as at the Premier League itself.ESPN reported that while the club has declined to comment on the alleged "cartel", sources have confirmed that those at the very top of the club harbour no doubt about their rivals' intentions to cause them difficulties.A source with connections to City was quoted as saying: "From day one, United, Arsenal and Liverpool have been terrified of losing their ability to dominate everything from the Premier League to the transfer market."Chelsea was already a problem for them under Roman Abramovich, but Sheikh Mansour came along [in 2008] and changed everything again, and the red clubs have been in a battle against City ever since."The narrative surrounding the 'Red Cartel' will not be helped by the assertions from Liverpool owner Henry and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who openly criticised City's financial practices in 2011, six years before the gathering took place.Wenger called upon UEFA to scrutinise City and accused them of manipulating the regulations.
The difficulty and the credibility of the financial fair play is at stake.Manchester City's decision-makers have been called into question. City emerged victorious during that phase, with their dominance extending further as Pep Guardiola's team secured four consecutive league wins.The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham received the guilty verdict at an early stage and had previously issued City with legal notification of their entitlement to pursue compensation.City have appealed the Premier League's verdict, believing they possess 'irrefutable evidence' supporting their contention that they ought to have been cleared of any misconduct.The commission handling appeals must deliver a decision within 12 weeks, according to Premier League regulations, setting a deadline of January 21.The consequences of City's conduct remain uncertain, with the possibility of unprecedented points penalties, relegations and potentially dropping out of the English Football League (EFL).