Wayne Veysey

Thu 7 March 2024 18:00, UK

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has called for more “transparency” around Man City and their FFP case amid concerns that the United Arab Emirates hierarchy could interfere.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs and their ownerships – suggested that City’s financial charges will still be under investigation in 2025.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters stated that a “date has been set” for City’s hearing after they were charged with 115 financial charges dating back to 2009.

If found guilty of their charges, City could face a major points deduction or even be relegated from the Premier League.

Wyness believes that the involvement of governments in Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian takeover suggests that more clarity is needed during City’s case.

Abu Dhabi could “have a word in the government’s ear” over Man City

“The timeline of this case could be affected if Man City have got a strategy to try and make things last as long as possible,” Wyness told Football Insider.

“It seems that 2025 is the timing that Richard Masters has mentioned for the Man City case to enter some sort of hearing.“

“But it’s such a long way away and so many things can change in that time.

“It has been mentioned that there could be political interference at government level even.

“That’s certainly not beyond a doubt, believe me.

“We saw how governments were involved around the Saudi acquisition of Newcastle.

“So why wouldn’t the UAE and Abu Dhabi have a quick word in the government’s ear about the Man City issue?

“That’s why I’ve been campaigning for transparency on this and we’ve got to have it.“

In other news, Man City can overtake Liverpool with £10m deal agreed

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