£1.2bn on transfers with £830m inflated in accounts – Man City’s ‘asterisk era’
Manchester City have been found guilty of Premier League charges relating to misleading accounts and a “disguised funding scheme” during 2009–18. The ruling has prompted questions about whether the club’s success in that period was achieved within the rules, and some clubs are seeking legal advice about possible compensation.
City spent about £1.2bn on transfers during those years and won seven major trophies, including three Premier League titles. The commission said £830m had been falsely added to the club’s accounts; the article argues that this extra financial power may have helped City sign players such as Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne. It is impossible to know how results would have changed without that funding, and the article notes that the seasons cannot be replayed.
- City were found guilty of charges over misleading accounts and disguised funding.
- They spent about £1.2bn on transfers and won seven major trophies from 2009–18.
- The commission said £830m was falsely added to the accounts.