Trial opens in London for UAE-backed Manchester City: What we know

LONDON — The first hearing in the trial of the Manchester City soccer club, also referred to as Man City, began in London Monday, as the United Arab Emirates-backed British team faced 115 allegations of breaching the English Premier League’s financial rules.

In February 2023, Man City was charged and referred to an independent commission following a four-year probe that found that the team breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018. In 2008, Man City was acquired by Abu Dhabi United Group, a private equity company linked to UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for 200 million pounds ($264 million) from Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand.

Since the takeover, the team has won the premiership eight times, the Champions League and multiple other cups. It had not won much silverware before the Emirati cash injection.

The soccer team, which clinched the Premier League title last season, has strongly denied all the charges and claims its case is strongly supported by “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence."

The Premier League claims Man City broke rules requiring the club to provide "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position." Among this information is Man City’s revenue including sponsorship income as well as its operating costs.

The league has accused Man City of not cooperating with the investigation. When the probe began, the team stated that the allegations were "entirely false" and originated from "illegal hacking and out-of-context publication of City emails."

The hearing, expected to last around 10 weeks, is being held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London. The verdict is expected to be announced early next year.

If the Premier League champions are found guilty, the consequences could be significant and the team could even face expulsion from the league. Other punishments on the cards include a potentially astronomical fine and the team being stripped of its accolades.

Either way, the team will have to bear significant legal costs —  believed to be in the tens of millions of pounds — in defending itself against the allegations. However, whoever wins the case is expected to sue to recoup those costs.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Man City manager Pepe Guardiola tried to keep a cool head.

"It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon. I am looking forward to the decision,” Guardiola. "I'm happy it's starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumors," he added. "We're going to see.”

"Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven.”