LONDON — The European Commission is currently examining a complaint lodged by the Spanish soccer league against Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions. This complaint alleges that the club has violated financial regulations. During a recent announcement, La Liga President Javier Tebas criticized Manchester City, accusing the Abu Dhabi-owned team of significantly disrupting the European Union’s internal market.
Tebas has alleged that Manchester City has deliberately masked expenses through the use of external companies for various services. “It gives the appearance of avoiding financial regulations, prompting our report to the European Union,” Tebas stated at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit. As the EU oversees commercial activities within Europe, Tebas believes this issue warrants close examination. Manchester City currently disputes these allegations.
A representative from the European Commission confirmed receipt of the complaint but refrained from commenting further due to ongoing evaluative processes. The crux of the complaint is focused on how subsidizations from non-EU countries might skew the economational market within the EU.
Manchester City, which rose to become one of the wealthiest football clubs worldwide following its acquisition by the ruling Abu Dhabi family in 2008, has enjoyed a wealth of success, including clinching eight Premier League titles and a Champions League victory. However, the club has faced persistent scrutiny regarding its adherence to Financial Fair Play standards throughout both Europe and England. In February 2023, the Premier League accused Manchester City of misrepresenting its financial data over a span of nine years, from 2009 to 2018, a period during which the club secured prominent players such as Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, and Kevin de Bruyne, winning league titles in 2012, 2014, and 2018.
Despite these accusations, Manchester City maintains its innocence. In the past, Tebas has been vocal about his disapproval of Manchester City’s financial practices, accusing the club of causing significant harm to the football industry due to its excessive spending.
