Man City ‘hit back’ at Premier League charges with dispute over legal official’s Arsenal links

Manchester City are fighting back against Premier League charges over their alleged breach of financial rules.

The Premier League champions were charged with more than 100 alleged rule-breaches back in February having already dodged sanctions from UEFA due to a successful legal battle. The Premier League charges varied but included an alleged failure to disclose details over Roberto Mancini’s salary during the Italian’s time in charge of the club.

City denied all charges, and according to The Times, they are now fighting back against league authorities with a legal effort of their own.

It’s claimed City are disputing the legality of the investigation, claiming that the change of Premier League rules since the alleged breaches should not allow the league to bring charges in relation to actions before those changes were brought in. The Citizens are also challenging the involvement of the barrister involved in the case.

Murray Rosen KC, the head of the Premier League’s independent judicial panel, is in charge of appointing the chair of the disciplinary commission, and he is a member of Arsenal Football Club - City’s main title rivals. The report claims both City and the Premier League declined to respond to the reports, and that the fresh legal challenge is likely to cause a delay to the ongoing process.

The Premier League charges relate to alleged offences between the 2009/10 season through to the end of the 2017/18 season, so there has been speculation over retrospective punishment in the way of stripping City of previous titles. With the legal process ongoing, the Premier League are not close to making such a decision, but it seems the Citizens are aiming to delay - or even derail - the league’s case before it can reach a conclusion.