LIVE: Man City Hearing Day Two, Real Madrid Case
The second day of Manchester City's hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, is underway. This follows the initial day of hearings where the Premier League champions defended themselves against charges of Financial Fair Play (FFP) violations related to their alleged overspending between 2012 and 2016. The focus of day two is expected to be on the Real Madrid case, a key piece of evidence that the Premier League is using to bolster its accusations against City.
What is the Real Madrid Case?
The Real Madrid case stems from an alleged agreement between City and Real Madrid in 2015. According to the Premier League, City and Real Madrid agreed to inflate the transfer fee of the then-Real Madrid player, Angel Di Maria, to help City meet UEFA's FFP rules. This agreement, if proven, would be a significant violation of FFP regulations and could result in severe sanctions for City.
What's at Stake?
The stakes are high for Manchester City. A guilty verdict could lead to:
- A ban from European competition: This would mean no Champions League football for City, a significant blow to their financial standing and ambitions.
- A fine: A hefty financial penalty is also a possibility, potentially impacting City's ability to spend on players in the future.
- Stripping of titles: This is a more controversial outcome, but the Premier League is demanding that City be stripped of their past trophies, including their recent Premier League titles.
Day Two Key Developments
The hearing is taking place behind closed doors, meaning that the public and media have no access to the proceedings. However, there are a few key developments to watch for on day two:
- Witnesses: The Premier League is expected to call witnesses who can provide evidence of the alleged agreement between City and Real Madrid.
- Evidence: The Premier League is likely to present further documentation and evidence to support their claim of inflated transfer fees.
- City's Defense: City's lawyers will continue to argue their case, claiming that the Premier League's accusations are unfounded and that they have acted within the rules of FFP.
The Long Road Ahead
The CAS hearing is expected to last several days, with arguments from both sides and witness testimonies. The CAS panel will then deliberate and issue their verdict in the coming weeks or months.
This case has far-reaching consequences for Manchester City, the Premier League, and the future of FFP in European football. The outcome will be watched closely by football fans and stakeholders around the world.
Stay tuned for updates on the Man City hearing as the case unfolds.
