‘Man City not out of the woods yet’ as high-profile case dropped
Man City may be facing the verdict of their Premier League case in the coming months but they have escaped an investigation from the European Union.
La Liga president Javier Tebas had filed complaints about City and Paris Saint-Germain allegedly using state resources under the EU’s foreign subsidies regulation.
However, The Guardian (15 May) has now reported that both clubs will face no action from the European Commission after allegations they breached EU competition law.
The report reveals well-placed sources have indicated a formal investigation will not take place.
But 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 – claimed Man City may not be totally out of the woods yet.
EU could re-open Man City case soon, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the EU could look into the allegations in future – with their budget perhaps not currently allowing a big probe into football.
On the pitch, Man City have endured a below-par season and failed to win the FA Cup against Crystal Palace last week.
Wyness claimed the emergence of Saudi Arabia as a force in football could force the EU to take another look at the allegations.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The supposed charge was over using funds from states like Qatar and the UAE.
“The EU, for whatever reason, has decided not to proceed with an investigation.
“They are very picky with the cases they choose to go after, they’ve got limited funds in this system.
“They tend to look for other industries, but that’s not to say football can’t become a pressing need in the future.
“It didn’t meet the relevant tests to go forward, so it’s been dropped.
“It’s something that may come back in the next four or five years, if we see more and more states becoming involved – like Saudi.
“This has been a shot across the bow, so let’s wait and see. Man City and PSG are both in the clear at the moment.”
Man City close in on record-breaking midfielder deal
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (16 May) that Man City are making progress on a record-breaking deal to sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
| Appearances (Starts) | 53 (52) |
| Minutes Played | 4501 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 |
| Red Cards | 1 |
City’s move for Reijnders could be worth upwards of £70million, dwarfing Milan’s record sale which saw Kaka move to Real Madrid for £56million in 2009.
Man City could sell players before signing Reijnders to clear space in the squad and raise funds.
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