City 'set for £49m fine'
Manchester City are reportedly facing a fine in the region of €60m (£49m) for breaching financial fair play (FFP) rules imposed by Uefa.
The club, who could return to the top of the Premier League if they avoid defeat to Aston Villa tonight, may also be limited to a 21-man Champions League squad instead of the usual 25 players next season.
Both City and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to have failed the FFP rules.
Under Uefa's rules, clubs can lose no more than £37m over the previous two seasons.
City posted combined losses of almost £149m for the past two seasons - £97m in 2012 and £51.6m in 2013.
It is understood City have until the end of the week to reach an agreement with Uefa over the sanctions.
Failure to agree a deal would see a club referred to an adjudicatory panel in June.
Manchester City deserve much better than being hounded by UEFA over FFP and ignored by the nation
The champions-elect we all forgot this season amid Liverpool's fairytale charge back into title contention represent the best of football, writes Oliver Holt
Manchester City and their fans are entitled to feel aggrieved.
Tonight, the Blues can take a giant step closer to winning one of the most thrilling title races of recent years in English football.
If they thrash Aston Villa at the Etihad, City could become the only team to join the Chelsea of 2009-10 in scoring 100 goals in a Premier League season.
It would be more proof that they have played some wonderfully swashbuckling football on their way to the top.
And yet, City are the champions-elect we all forgot.
They are the side that got lost as we followed the compelling narrative of Liverpool’s underdog attempt to win their first title for 24 years.
City are the team with a boss who kept quiet while Jose Mourinho took all the attention with his talking and posturing.
City are the team who kept on amassing points while so many of us were captivated by the spectacle of the thousands lining Anfield Road before every home game, trying to will Liverpool to the title.
They are the club with the narrative of their own, the club that established itself incontrovertibly as the leading team in Manchester as United fell from grace.
And even now Liverpool and Chelsea have faded from the picture, still the headlines are not about City’s excellence.
Instead, it’s about the estimated £49million fine UEFA are set to attempt to impose on them for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
Something is wrong with FFP if it punishes a regime that is pouring millions into the regeneration of a deprived area of East Manchester.
Nobody is suggesting that Sheikh Mansour and his cohorts are driven by altruism but whatever their motives, it is hard not to admire much of what is happening at City.
Their youth set-up is so impressive, former United players are sending their kids to train there. They are pouring funds into a women’s team in the WSL, too. Their campus is a centre of excellence, a model of the way forward.
That is the problem with FFP - it enshrines the principle that might is right, big equals good. It seeks to perpetuate the hegemony of the clubs with the most supporters and the most revenue. There is no fantasy about it.
City’s story represents the dream of every downtrodden club, every poor relation - that one day it can be propelled to the top.
It has happened in front of us at Manchester City, and all UEFA want to do is punish them for it.
They distrust the rise of smaller clubs. It threatens their vested interests.
The irony is City stand on the brink of an achievement that deserves to be celebrated more than anything else they have done. They have gone head-to-head with a Liverpool side that appeared to have an unstoppable momentum and they seem to have outlasted them.
This is not the often-pragmatic side marshalled by Roberto Mancini. This is a team of wonderfully skilful players Manuel Pellegrini has moulded into a breathtaking attacking unit.
Some of their football towards the turn of the year was sublime.
They were at their unstoppable best when they could pair Sergio Aguero, whose season has been disrupted by injury, and Alvaro Negredo in attack.
In November and December, they stuck seven past Norwich, six past Tottenham, four past Fulham and six past Arsenal.
This is a team overflowing with flair, with the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas.
This is a team that has the might and grace of Yaya Toure at its heart.
If City hold their nerve and win their second title in three years at the Etihad on Sunday, forget the petty objections of the joyless bureaucrats at UEFA.
Because it will be a triumph for a team that represents the best of football
Manchester City risk Champions League expulsion if they tackle Uefa over FFP punishments
Premier League club angry at being bracketed with PSG by Uefa and will fight cap on wages and Champions League squad
Manchester City will risk possible expulsion from next season’s Champions League if they fight the sanctions Uefa impose on them for being in breach of Financial Fair Play.
City, who can take a giant stride towards the Premier League title by beating Aston Villa tonight, learned yesterday that Paris Saint-Germain have been hit by far harsher sanctions than had been expected for their own breach. It would be surprising if City faced similar tough punishment to PSG, who will receive a €60m (£49m) fine, a reduction from 25 to 21 in their squad for next season’s competition and the stipulation that their wage bill for next season’s competition must not exceed this season’s. It is by no means certain that City will face the same penalty as the French club – even though the PSG settlement reveals that the sanction regime is going to be tough.
City must either reach a settlement with Uefa’s Financial Control Body or a non-negotiable punishment will be put into the hands of the adjudicatory chamber of that body. City’s right of appeal then goes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which would consider their case before the start of next season’s competition. Lawyer Daniel Geey, the football law specialist at the firm Field Fisher Waterhouse, who has advised clients and written extensively on FFP, said last night that an appeal did create a “higher risk of expulsion” for City.
“It seems logical that if you settle with Uefa you are going to receive greater leniency from the regulator,” Geey said. “That is the incentive to settle. If you challenge the decision, and in the case of a severe breach, you run the risk that every sanction is available to the FCB including expulsion from the Champions League.”
City, who go into the Villa game at the Etihad Stadium tonight without the injured Sergio Aguero, appear to have grounds to argue that they should not get the same punishment as PSG, having produced audited accounts which saw them narrowly pass the FFP test in February. City have also halved their losses for each of the last two years.
They do seem likely to face a fine – PSG’s is payable over three years – and a stipulation that they reduce next season’s squad. The fine may not be damaging because it is likely to be excluded from the spending which forms part of future FFP calculations. Effectively that means their Abu Dhabi owners could provide loans to enable them to pay it. Keeping wages at the last financial year’s levels – another of the sanctions – is also eased by the fact that the pay-off for former manager Roberto Mancini and his substantial staff were included under “wages” for 2013. That figure would automatically have been reduced for this year anyway.
However, a demand to reduce their 2014-15 Champions League foreign player component by four – PSG’s punishment – would be more biting. It will make the English component of the squad far more important to manager Manuel Pellegrini, at a time when City are preparing to lose Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair from their payroll. The importance of James Milner and Jack Rodwell increases and Pellegrini may need to bring home-grown players back to bolster his squad.
It was unclear last night whether the fine which City must pay to Uefa will affect their spending on wages under new Premier League FFP rules. FFP expert Ed Thompson said that it may limit City, who are only allowed to increase wages by £4m next season unless they increase their revenue, to cover a rise beyond that.
Thompson pointed out that the accounting device by which City included Mancini’s pay-off under “wages” allowed them to limit the damage of wage restrictions. “The pay-off to [Mancini’s predecessor] Mark Hughes was listed as an ‘exceptional item’. The new Premier League spending constraints uses 2012-13 as a benchmark season for wage-increases. Again having Mancini’s pay-off in this category helps,” Thompson said.
City have until the end of the week to reach an agreement with Uefa over the sanctions – but it is understood they are the club furthest away from reaching any final settlement.
Their negotiations with Uefa come as City seek to move closer to a second Premier League title in three years tonight, with Pellegrini expressing hope that Aguero will be fit to face West Ham in the last league game of the season, which City will go into needing only a draw if they can beat Villa.
The Chilean insisted he had not watched Crystal Palace’s extraordinary comeback against Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Monday, which left the away side’s title hopes in tatters, but said the 3-3 draw was a warning for his players. “Always it’s a good lesson for everyone,” Pellegrini said. “No one knows what will happen in football – that’s why it’s the most important sport. It depends on a lot of things, not just what you can do. Liverpool were winning 3-0 but the score changed.”
Pellegrini, who has Yaya Touré fit, predictably refused to respond to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ claims that City – who have managed only one five-game winning run this season – may struggle to move beyond the three successive wins which Saturday’s win at Everton marked. “We are not thinking about five in a row,” he said, “we just need to win the one game on Wednesday first against Aston Villa. If I try to be calm it’s because I think it’s the best way for the players to play these two games.”
How would City cope with Uefa squad limit?
New deal for James Milner?
With four fewer foreign players, the obligatory home-grown component of eight in the 21-man Champions League squad becomes more important. With four of this season’s eight possibly leaving, James Milner becomes a far more significant part of the picture at City. He has a year left on his contract and his negotiating position has now become stronger. The same goes for Jack Rodwell.
Keep Micah Richards?
City may also need to think again about whether to allow English players to leave this summer to be replaced with foreigners. They are on course to have 16 foreign players next season – 19 if they bring in Fernando, Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna, making it difficult to accommodate all their big names. Keeping Micah Richards seems a more attractive option. Joleon Lescott and Scott Sinclair seem likely to go, however.
Bring back Rekik and Co?
The need for a stronger English component could lead to some of the young, home-grown players they have out on loan coming back. The best is Karim Rekik, who has said that he wants 20 games for City next season, having been out at PSV Eindhoven this season. Marcos Lopes and Emyr Hughes, from Patrick Vieira’s Elite Development Squad, as well as John Guidetti, seem more important now.
Rethink transfer targets – to include Cesc Fabregas?
This summer’s prime objective is to bolster their defence. But while Cardiff City’s Steven Caulker is not currently on their radar, despite suggestions to the contrary, the situation City find themselves in make Cesc Fabregas, in whom they have an interest, more of an attractive proposition because he was a home-grown player at Arsenal. The highly-rated Paul Pogba of Juventus is also in the same category – home-grown at Manchester United.
Stick to prudent wages?
City will not be in a position to splurge wages and that may be a factor in the transfer window – though that has been the case for some time. The new players signed last summer were in the £70,000- to £80,000-a-week basic pay bracket, with contracts now heavily incentivised as City move beyond the “accelerated growth” period when they agreed to pay players like Yaya Touré £220,000-a-week. When David Silva’s contract was renegotiated a year ago, his basic was in a bracket that would have been considered second-grade in the days of big spending.
Vincent Kompany transfer is front page news in Spain
Whilst much of the Spanish press today have led with a story about what Lionel Messi is demanding of Barcelona (Lots of money, Aguero, renewal for his pal Pinto), Mundo Deportivo have gone with a different line.
They have Manchester City's Vincent Kompany and Juventus' Paul Pogba splashed all over their front page. It's claimed that Andoni Zubizarreta and Luis Enrique, said to be the club's new manager, have already got their heads together about transfer targets. The pair were pictured attending a meeting this week and it's made it clear that Tata Martino is heading for the exit.
The first, and most important, targets Enrique wants are Kompany and Pogba because, according to Mundo Deportivo, he wants Barcelona to have a more physical side so they're not as often bullied.
The Catalan newspaper acknowledge that both signings would be hard to make, especially considering Kompany's happiness at manchester City. The FFP sanctions are inevitably brought into the picture and it's speculated that could make Manchester City more likely to sell some players this summer, especially if they want to fund purchases elsewhere.
Manchester City make Ghanaian child prodigy, aged just NINE, a transfer priority
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Manchester City have made a nine-year-old child prodigy of Ghanaian descent a summer transfer priority.
Manuel Pellegrini will embark on another multi-million spending spree ahead of next season, with Porto pair Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando leading contenders to arrive at the Etihad Stadium.
But the title-chasing club are also hot on the heels of West Ham sensation Omari Forson, who is 10-years-old in July. His parents are from Ghana but are UK based.
Massive things are expected of the youngster, who has been at the Upton Park club since the age of five.
Forson has played a starring role for the Hammers’ Under 10s and 11s this season – and his performances have caught the attention of City scouts.
The Hammers are desperate to keep hold of the quick left-footed forward, who has been likened to Paris St Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but fear City’s growing status as a European superpower could be too much to resist.
The prospect of being part of City’s burgeoning academy plans is understood to to be a key selling point for Forson’s family.
City are set to move into a new £100m training facility this summer, which includes brand new state-of-the-art youth football facilities.
Messi Asks FC Barcelona Management to Sign Kun Aguero
Reports have emerged today that FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has asked the management of his club to sign his fellow Argentine and Manchester City striker Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero.
According to a report in English newspaper Daily Mail, Lionel Messi wants Manchester City star and Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero to join him at Barcelona as he negotiates a new contract at the club. Messi is almost certain of signing a new improved deal with the Catalan giants but has asked his beloved club to sign Aguero and offer goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, his good friend, a contract renewal.
Recent reports in Spanish media have suggested that Messi is set to earn around 20 million euros a year with up to 4 million in bonuses and the economic terms are nearly settled upon.
DSSC reports that apart from aforementioned economic terms, Messi would like those two sporting conditions to be met too.Barcelona have endured a forgettable season under Tata Martino, being knocked out of the Champions League, losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid and on verge of losing their La Liga title too.
Messi wants to remain with Barcelona for his entire career and to make his stay more trophy lade, he and his father Jorge who is also the agent of the player want Barcelona to strengthen and make a serious claim for all important Champions League crown next year and the club will have to take his suggestions seriously.
Messi’s current contract with Barcelona expires in 2018 but Barcelona management has already started negotiations with the player to keep him happy at the club. And as per the media reports, if he signs the new deal then this is going to be his seventh contract improvement in nine years at Barcelona. Both Barcelona and Messi want to sign a new deal as soon as possible and he could put pen to paper as soon as next week.
Messi’s father Jorge have reportedly had a meeting with the club’s general director Antoni Rossich and economic vice-president Javier Faus on Tuesday, when it is believed the signing of Aguero was raised.
If the potential transfer really goes through, it will be interesting to see how Messi and Aguero could play alongside Brazil star Neymar, who would also expect a first-team berth.
There is no doubt over the importance of Messi at Barcelona. So if he wants to play alongside Aguero next season, Barca are likely to give it a go. However, City are almost guaranteed of blocking any move for their striker. And with City on verge of securing a second title in three years, there is little reason to suggest that will change.
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[/spoiler]Real Madrid have made Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 27, their chief transfer target ahead of Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, 25. Times
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna, 31, wants to stay in England when his contract runs out this summer, with Chelsea and Manchester City leading the chase to sign the Frenchman. Daily Star
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants to bring Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, 21, to Stamford Bridge next season as back-up to John Terry, 33. Daily Express
West Ham are to make an £8m move to bring back striker Demba Ba, 28, from Chelsea. Sun
Tottenham are planning a double swoop for Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall, 29, and Bluebirds defender Steven Caulker, 22. Daily Mirror
Serie A side Cagliari's sporting director Nicola Salerno says that 23-year-old Colombia striker Victor Ibarbo's move to Championship side Leeds United is far from a done deal, with other clubs likely to bid if he has a good World Cup. Inside Futbol
Liverpool have emerged as surprise suitors for Chelsea's Ashley Cole, 33, next season. Daily Express
Serie A side AC Milan want to sign on-loan midfielder Adel Taarabt, 24, but are not prepared to meet QPR's £4m asking price. DSSC
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender, 25, has ended talk of a summer move to Arsenal by claiming he is happy in Germany and not ready to leave. Sun
Burnley have opened talks over a new contract for highly rated right-back Kieran Trippier, 23, who is attracting interest from Arsenal, Newcastle and Southampton.DSSC
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has agreed a new four-year contract and could sign it before the end of the week. Daily Mirror
The Premier League and Football League will block FA chairman Greg Dyke's plan to introduce a division for their clubs to field B teams. Daily Telegraph
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet wants greater influence at the club as he prepares for talks over a new contract. Daily Mirror
Poyet - who won two European trophies as a player - says that keeping Sunderland in the Premier League would rank as his greatest football achievement. Daily Star
Midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, has vowed to return to parent club West Ham from QPR next season after scooping the Hammers' goal-of-the-season prize in Tuesday night's end-of-year awards. DSSC
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he was on the verge of signing Eden Hazard, 23, before London rivals Chelsea's financial power won the battle for his signature from French side Lille in August 2012. DSSC
Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the backing of former Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville to bounce back next season. Daily Mirror
Napoli want to make 31-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina's loan move permanent. L'Equipe
Atletico Madrid's on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, is so excited about the prospect of playing at Barcelona that he is willing to ask Chelsea for a transfer. Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has rejected a £14m offer to take charge at Manchester United. AS
AC Milan are considering a permanent move for on-loan Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt, 24, and Paris St-Germain defender Alex Costa, 31. Tuttosport
The parents of Manchester United debutant James Wilson, 18, used their mobile phones to film a replay of the striker's two goals against Hull City on Tuesday through a television screen from the stands. Metro
Whoever finishes bottom of the Premier League on Sunday will still earn more TV money than last season's champions Manchester United. Sun
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