Man City charged LATEST: Club could face RELEGATION or expulsion while suffering Bellingham BLOW
PREMIER LEAGUE champions Manchester City could be EXPELLED from top-flight English football after their breach of 115 financial rules allegations.
Other possible punishments include a points deduction for the reigning champions, transfer bans, spending limits and even the stripping of previous titles.
The investigation into the club's dealings has lasted for four years.
And now the Premier League have published their findings on their website - and it does not make good reading for the Etihad club, although at this stage they have been charged but not found guilty.
Furthermore, reports suggest that the charges could be detrimental to their hopes of signing Jude Bellingham this summer.
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United’s ‘£100m Rice bid failure’
Manchester United had a £100million bid for West Ham star Declan Rice rejected last summer, according to .
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been strongly linked with the Hammers and England star midfielder, 24.
White told his radio show’s listeners: “What would it take for a bid to be deemed successful in the next window?
“It is our understanding £120m plus add-ons would get him.
“We understand that Manchester United last summer bid £100m and didn’t get him.
“Chelsea, Arsenal and United are still in the frame. That’s what it would take £120m, plus add-ons.”
Southend United facing extinction
Southend United could go out of business due to their perilous financial situation.
The National League outfit, who boast a 116-year history, are in serious financial trouble with unpaid players and staff and an outstanding HMRC bill.
A winding up order has been adjourned, but the club are continuing to lose £2million per year.
According to chairman Ron Martin has until March 1 to find a seven-figure sum or risk the extinction of the club.
Back-to-back relegations in 2020 and 2021 have seen the Essex-based club drop from the third tier to outside the EFL.
Corberan more likely than Bielsa
Most Leeds fans would take Marcelo Bielsa back as their manager in a second - but they all know it is not very likely.
The Argentinian will forever be a cult hero at Elland Road.
But he underlined during his recent sit-down with Everton chiefs he is not the sort of man to take over a club halfway through the season - under any circumstances.
West Brom gaffer Carlos Corberan - who looked after the Whites' Under-23s during Bielsa's tenure - is, though, a viable option if he is minded to leave the Baggies.
Leeds confirm Marsch dismissal
Leeds have confirmed the sacking of their manager Jesse Marsch.
The American leaves the Whites 17th in the Prem table and only out of the drop zone on goal difference.
A said: "LUFC can confirm head coach Jesse Marsch has been relieved of his duties."
Nike drop sponsorship of Greenwood
Mason Greenwood has been dropped by sponsor Nike, SunSport has revealed.
A spokesperson for the global sports brand confirmed: “Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete.”
The Manchester United striker had added the club’s name and sponsors Nike back to his Instagram profile after criminal charges were dropped against him last week.
The 21-year-old, who has not played in over a year, faced charges of rape, assault and coercive control until they were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Odds on Jones' sacking slashed
Southampton's Nathan Jones leads the bookies' dreaded Prem 'sack race' odds.
He was priced at 14-1 to get fired but a 3-0 defeat to Brentford - combined with odd post-match comments - means he is now 1-2 odds-on favourite to be the next top-flight manager out of a job.
City 'cannot appeal to CAS'
Times journalist says Manchester City cannot appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over sanctions relating to the Prem's allegation of financial breaches.
He tweeted: "Under Premier League rules the club will not be able to appeal any sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (which overturned the UEFA ban)."
City were banned from the Champions League for two years and hit with a £25million fine by Uefa in 2020.
The club were found guilty of misleading European football’s governing body and breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
But that ban was overturned and fine cut to £9m by CAS.
Arsenal's title bid gets boost
Whatever the outcome of the allegations of financial breaches by Manchester City - this morning's bombshell news can only be a boost for Arsenal's title bid.
The Gunners' Prem charge looked to be faltering following a shock lunchtime defeat to relegation-battling Everton on Saturday.
But today the North London giants can reflect on 1-0 defeat for City at Spurs combined with today's unwelcome fall-out from the league's investigation.
Arsenal remain five points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand.
City bullish in their defence
So the short Manchester City statement on the probe suggests the club are confident of its "position" in relation to the alleged financial breaches.
The club says it "welcomes"; the review by the indendent commission and adds they "look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
I think we are all looking forward to what the commission has to say, right?
City statement on Prem probe
Manchester City have released a statement on this morning's news the club faces charges relating to over 100 alleged breaches of financial rules.
The says: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
"The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
"As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
Make-up of probe commission
Manchester City's fate in relation to alleged breaches of finance rules is now in the hands an independent commission.
In a statement, the Premier League explained: "The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel.
"The proceedings before the Commission will… be confidential and heard in private.
"The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice."
City's quashed Champions League ban
Manchester City were banned from the Champions League for two years and hit with a £25million fine by Uefa in 2020.
The club were found guilty of misleading European football’s governing body and breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
But that ban was overturned and fine cut to £9m by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
City could lose Prem titles
Manchester City could be stripped of THREE Prem titles if they are found guilty of breaching financial fair play rules.
City have been charged with more than 100 breaches during nine seasons between 2009 to 2018.
During that time, the reigning Prem champions won England's top-flight in 2012, 2014 and 2018.
Liverpool were runners-up in 2014 and Manchester United were second in the other two campaigns.
German website's role in probe
The investigation into Manchester City's financial dealings came against the backdrop of the publishing of leaked documents by .
The German website have highlighted three main areas of concern through their reports.
The first allegation is "under-age players were pressured to sign contracts with City through monetary payments".
Secondly, that Abu Dhabi sponsors "provided only a portion of their payments to the club", with owner Sheikh Mansour stumping up the rest.
Lastly, ex-boss Roberto Mancini received a "significant portion" of compensation from a "fictitious consultancy contract".
City have always denied the allegations, which they feel are designed to damage the club.
City probe took four years
The investigation into Manchester City's financial dealings has lasted for FOUR YEARS.
Charges relate to activity over nine seasons between 2009 and 2018, with the investigation starting in December 2018.
City facing over 100 breaches
Journalists are still picking through this morning's bombshell news Manchester City are facing more than ONE HUNDRED alleged breaches of financial rules.
And there are quite a few possible penalties as well it seems.
Potential punishments for the six-time Prem champions include a points deduction, transfer ban, spending limits and even the stripping of previous titles.
Alleged breaches during Mancini tenure
Roberto Mancini was the Manchester City manager during the period the club is alleged to have breached financial rules.
City have been charged with rule-breaking by the Prem including a breach of “requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager” related to seasons 2009-10 to 2012-13.
Mancini, 58, who is now Italy boss, led City to an FA Cup win in 2011 and the Prem title a year later.
City face with numerous charges of breaking rules which could result in a points deduction or expulsion from the league.
Manchester City facing Prem sanctions
Manchester City could face sanctions including expulsion from the Premier League for alleged financial breaches.
The club have been hit with numerous charges of breaking rules which could result in a points deduction or an even heavier penalty.
Everton linked with Auba swoop
Everton are eyeing an ambitious move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to .
The former Arsenal skipper, 33, has fallen down the pecking order at big-spending Chelsea and apparently new Toffees boss Sean Dyche is a fan.
Rice ‘would flourish at Arsenal’
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong reckons Declan Rice’s game would “flourish” if he joined the Gunners.
West Ham and England midfielder Rice has been linked with a big-money move away, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the clubs said to be interested.
Frimpong, 31, who was at the Gunners between 2011-14, told : “I feel that in an Arsenal shirt and with better players around him, he will be able to flourish.
“So we need to get into the Champions League to be able to attract players like Rice.
“Who wouldn’t want to play in the Champions League in London, for Arsenal?”
United ‘should bring back Zaha’
Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson says the club would improve their frontline by resigning Wilfried Zaha.
A spell with the Red Devils between 2013-15 did not work out for The Crystal Palace winger, 30, and he returned to star for the Eagles.
But Simpson, 36, who came through the Red Devils youth academy and had a short spell in their first-team, believes a return to Old Trafford for the Ivory Coast star could work.
He told Stadium Astro: “He came to Man United, but I know he was a lot younger.
“But if he goes to another top-four or top-six team, then he’s not going to be the main man, so it will be interesting to see where he goes.
“I think someone like Liverpool could do with him at the moment because it’s not happening for them.
“I would bring him back here [Old Trafford]. You have Marcus Rashford as a No 9 and Wilfried on the left. That’s some firepower as well.”
Rice would break British record
West Ham boss David Moyes says it would take a bid well north of £100m to buy their skipper Declan Rice.
Arsenal and Chelsea have been strongly linked with the Hammers and England star midfielder, 24.
After the Blues broke the British transfer record with their £110million deal to sign of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 22, Moyes says it will take more to land Rice.
After Saturday’s 1-1 with Newcastle, the Scot said: “Declan was a top player in the first half, he showed so many things.
“Undoubtedly he’s going to be a top player and undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham.”
Atletico linked with Kante
LaLiga giants Atletico madrid have joined the clubs eyeing up a summer swoop for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, according to .
The World Cup winner, 31, whose deal expires in the summer, has also been linked with Prem giants Arsenal and Liverpool.
Newcastle star gives Millan insight
Allan Saint Maximin says his focus was only ever on winning his starting place back in the Newcastle side amid links of interest from AC Milan in the January window.
The French winger got his first Prem start in five months in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Afterwards the 25-year-old said: "I want to be honest because I’m not going to lie.
"When you are in the situation, a lot of teams can see that and think it’s the right opportunity to come and buy the player.
“But I’m very proud to be here, and the most important thing for me is to play.
"I will always try to be in a position where I play every game because no player plays football to be on the bench."
MORNING FOOTY FANS
Man City are set to sign Cardiff City starlet Lewys Benjamin, reports suggest.
Benjamin, 17, will undergo a medical before putting pen to paper with City where he will play as the academy goalkeeper.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Wales Under-17 international was targeted by a host of Premier League clubs.
But Cardiff’s teenage sensation ultimately opted for the “Man City project”.
Romano tweeted: “Cardiff City talent Lewys Benjamin, undergoing medical tests and now set to sign with Manchester City as new Academy goalkeeper.
“Wales U17 international, Benjamin was in the list of many UK clubs but he said yes to Man City project.”
Jamie Carragher has suggested that Erling Haaland might have signed for the WRONG club.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the ex-Liverpool defender said: “He may have actually picked the wrong club to actually get the best out of him.
“Manchester City, as a team, have scored the same amount of goals.
“He’s scored 25 Premier League goals, but Manchester City as a team have scored the same amount of goals and they’ve conceded more and it’s far easier to counter-attack them as well.
“So they’re a different team and a lesser team with Erling Haaland in the team and it’s not his fault.
“Manchester City as a team will not play end to end football, it’s not Pep Guardiola’s way.
“Erling Haaland has still scored 25 goals, but we’re not seeing the full package of what this player can do because of the team that he’s gone to.
“I’m not criticising him and I think he’s that he’s so good he’s still scored 25 goals, but we’ve probably only seen 60 or 70 per cent of him.
“We’re not seeing that power and that blistering pace, but we’ve got to come back to the fact that no matter how many goals he’s scored as an individual, Manchester City have scored exactly the same number of goals.”
Antonio Conte was straight on the phone to Harry Kane after his Tottenham star’s record-breaking matchwinner against Manchester City.
The striker grabbed the only goal of the game as Spurs defeated the Cityzens in North London.
That was his 267th strike for the club and saw him move ahead of Jimmy Greaves as the club’s all-time top scorer.
And as soon as he was in the dressing-room the absent Conte was straight on the blower to his superstar, although the conversation remained private despite Sky Sports’ cameras being there to capture the moment.
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan is reportedly “emerging as a potential candidate” for Leeds United should they sack Jesse Marsch.
The Elland Road side’s miserable run of form continued with a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest today.
That left them without a win in the Premier League since November 5 and only out of the bottom three via goal difference.
Marsch has admitted that he understands the frustrations of supporters as the pressure mounts ahead of a double header with in-form Manchester United this week.
Now the Daily Mail are claiming Leeds “owner Andrea Radrizzani and Paraag Marathe will be the men that have the key say on Marsch’s future” over the coming days.
They state that Corberan, who previously worked for the club as coach under Marcelo Bielsa, “was admired” already.