On one hand, Manchester City is fighting to rule the English Premier League, while on the other hand; UEFA is sharpening its weapons to convict it for breaching FFP guidelines. Notably, City has been among the some top notch soccer brands who were found breaching the cost controlling guidelines off late and then European governing body gave them two options: either to accept the monetary penalties or face an action which could include refraining English giant to sign more players in upcoming transfer windows. Though, imposing a thorough ban has always been a tough task for UEFA president, especially after his remarks that they are not looking for banning any side at least for the current season, hence the only way out left is the negotiations regarding the financial breach and its severity. Interestingly, last year’s premier league runner up have until not confirmed their option so governing body could proceed with its course of action – UEFA has only given league side this week to respond over their violations. City is actually among the nine other European clubs who were found in breach of financial guidelines enacted by UEFA around four years back, in fact, this is the first year governing body has singled out violating sides.
Some of the other high profile names include PSG and Manchester United among others who have still not made up their minds as well. It looks, they all are going in one preplanned direction where they are trying to influence governing body’s enforcement committee to either forgo the breach – at least for this year – or come up with lightest actions unlike what they have planned as UEFA has initially planned imposing heavy fines along with restricting budgets for the next year’s Championship league.
Reportedly, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is the first one who openly criticized UEFA role to give this leverage to all the FFP violating sides and said it will only provoke others to disobey highly talked about cost controlling measures. He also lambasted President Michel Platini for his shacking attitude towards big clubs. He said, “There are rules to apply for the financial fair play. If you don’t respect them, you have to apply the rules.
“One of the rules is that normally you should be banned for the excess of the financial amount that is not justified, that is if you are 100 million pounds overboard, you should be punished for 100 million pounds of your wages bill in the Champions League.”