In February last year, Manchester City were accused of financial irregularities by the Premier League in relation to 115 offenses, with a hearing to be held in November. Once the offenses become crimes, the 'Blue Moon' will face penalties such as deduction of points and even kicking out of the Premier League. According to the British newspaper The Times, Manchester City decided to go ahead and take legal action against the Premier League, accusing the other side of targeting and discrimination. "Oil-funded football clubs", including "related transactions" have regulations that violate legal principles. It is reported that City hope to create a success story by overturning the regulations, thus increasing their chances of cracking down on financial irregularities.
Manchester City have produced a 165-page legal document claiming that the ball will be persecuted by the Premier League system. With three two-ball votes available to change the rules in the decision-making process for finger matches, the 'Blue Moon' argues that a system that undermines the interests of a small number of ball clubs, in particular the Premier League's introduction of the 'Connected Transactions' regulation is designed to target Middle Eastern consortiums owned by the likes of City, Newcastle, and the like. "The 'oil-funded clubs' and unreasonable, with other clubs supporting the introduction of the regulation simply to stop City from succeeding.
In 2021, after the acquisition of Newcastle by Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund, the Premier League set up a new rule on 'connected transactions', whereby when a football club makes a commercial deal, it must prove that the deal meets the requirement of 'fair market value', to prevent the club from being backed by 'state power' to get a large injection of capital and hurt people with their capital.
Manchester City are also unhappy with commercial sponsorship negotiations. Clubs in the north of England are at a disadvantage compared to London clubs, which can have higher pricing power over tickets. Complaints lodged by Manchester City will begin this month with 19 other Premier League clubs offering. The Times notes that between 10 and 15 clubs are currently in favor of the Premier League having regulations in place, with only one club supporting Manchester City. I'm afraid this is a big chance for the 'Blue Moon' to lose the case.
