Manchester City’s remarkable rise up the English football league has been undermined by their admission that they broke premier league financial regulations
The case has been cast on the money that made Manchester City transform from a team that had not tasted major success since 1970s to one of the most successful football clubs in the world
Between 2009 and 2018, they spent about £1.2 billion on players and won7 major trophies including 3 Premier League titles, an FA Cup and 3 League Cups.
Some of their historic players were bought in the period, with Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho being some of them bought as they built a squad that would challenge and then exceed their rivals.
The amounts spent on transfers rocketed in this period, reaching a peak of about £179 million in 2015/16 and £185 million the following season and £272 million in 2017/18.
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The News Chronicle reports that the independent commission found the club had significantly overstated sponsorship revenue, with more than £800 million in disputed funds allegedly added to its accounts during the period under investigation.
That has sparked debate over whether City could have built the same squad and achieved the same success without the disputed financial arrangements.
However, the past cannot be replayed, leaving their trophies and historic victories intact unless future sanctions say otherwise.
Manchester City have denied the allegations and are expected to appeal the verdict.
The eventual outcome could determine not only the club’s punishment but also how its most successful era is viewed in the years ahead.
