La Liga president Javier Tebas says Manchester City must be penalized for allegedly breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations.
A three-person panel will determine the fate of the Sky Blues.
Manchester City firmly denies any wrongdoing and has assembled a high-profile legal team, led by the renowned Lord David Pannick, to defend their case.
While the club emphasizes the “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supporting their stance, Tebas maintains that a not-guilty verdict would undermine the Premier League’s credibility.
“The Premier League shouldn’t give in to pressure, right?” said Javier Tebas, speaking to GIVEMESPORT at the Thinking Football Summit in Porto.
“Manchester City is just another club, and when you lead an association, you have to act.
“The Premier League shouldn’t differentiate between big or small, or important and ‘non-important’, clubs.
“Manchester City is a member of the association that has committed irregularities and should receive the sanction it deserves.
“If not, the competition’s authority will be lost.”
“There are more than 115 accusations,” said Tebas.
“I don’t know everything, but I know what happened regarding Manchester City’s UEFA case, and quite well.
“Let’s not forget UEFA sanctioned City by not allowing them to compete in the Champions League.
“Then CAS, in a very controversial decision, acquitted them instead of accusing them.
“I would say that was one of the biggest failures in the history of CAS on a legal issue.
“It was demonstrated [by UEFA] that they should have been sanctioned and some of those charges are now being pursued by the Premier League.
“I can tell you that everyone knows how City has acted in recent years.
“I hope it’s just a matter of evidence, and that the Premier League know how to prove it well, because the facts are clear.
“I have spoken with many Premier League clubs and most understand City should be sanctioned.”
Premier League clubs are expressing frustration over the secrecy surrounding Manchester City’s hearing for 115 alleged rule breaches, which has been dubbed sport’s “trial of the century”, according to The Telegraph.
The confidential hearing is being held privately in front of an unnamed three-person commission, as dictated by Section W of the Premier League’s rules.
Public information has been limited to a basic outline of the alleged breaches, including the specific rules and seasons in question.
Although legal teams have been photographed arriving at an arbitration center in London, even the exact location of the hearing has been kept confidential.
This lack of transparency extends to other Premier League clubs, who remain largely in the dark about the process.
While “interlocutory decisions” (judgments made during the hearing) may be shared if deemed “appropriate,” the next significant update will only come when the commission’s “final awards” are published on the league’s website.
According to Premier League rule W.44, the chair of the commission is not required to order a transcript of proceedings, though they may do so at their discretion.
“We know the bill at the end – but not much else,” said one club insider, referring to the expected high legal costs, which are anticipated to run into the millions.
These costs can simply be deducted from Manchester City’s central broadcast rights and commercial revenue.
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