‘Man City could face new legal fight’ after Javier Tebas controversy
Man City have faced big scrutiny from another source after La Liga president Javier Tebas publicly slammed the club in recent days.
The English champions have already been charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules and will face a verdict in the coming months.
But speaking to journalists at The Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit on Thursday (27 February), Spanish football chief Tebas accused Man City of an Enron-style deception by hiding their costs in affiliated companies.
US energy firm Enron’s executives were found to have earned millions from using partnerships to generate false profits and hide its debt.
Tebas said La Liga filed a complaint to the European Commission about Man City’s behaviour in July 2023.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has responded to the new bombshell.
Man City EU investigation is ‘not a done deal’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted European lawmakers will be investigating City – but another high-profile legal showdown is “not a done deal” yet.
Man City have participated in Europe’s elite club competition, the Champions League, in every season since the 2011-12 campaign and won the trophy in 2023.
| Season | Round Eliminated |
| 2024-25 | Knockout phase play-offs (Real Madrid) |
| 2023-24 | Quarter-finals (Real Madrid) |
| 2022-23 | N/A (Winners) |
| 2021-22 | Semi-finals (Real Madrid) |
| 2020-21 | Final (Chelsea) |
Wyness insisted he understands there has been no decision about taking a potential case against Man City forward from the European Commission.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “As usual, Tebas is not far away from a few controversial statements.
“I’ve known Javier about 20 years now and he’s never been shy of stirring the pot.
“He’s talking about reporting Man City to the EU because of the European competitions they play in.
“That’s where he has some sort of claim.
“But at this stage, as I understand it, it’s only at the investigative stage.
“There’s been no decision within the EU as to whether they will proceed with this case or not.
“Javier is throwing things around, comparing it with Enron – one of the biggest scandals of all time – so he’s not mincing his words.
“Certainly, it’s just in the investigation stage right now. Whether the EU want to take it further, we’ll have to wait and see – it’s not a done deal.”
Ederson closes in on Man City exit
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (3 March) that Man City star Ederson has a “strong possibility” of joining a Saudi Pro League club this summer.
Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad have entered the race for the goalkeeper’s signature.
He has made 28 appearances across all competitions this season with Man City struggling for form – and will have just 12 months remaining on his contract in June.
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