IFR Warns It Could Strip Manchester City's Owners

The Independent Football Regulator has confirmed it has the power to strip Manchester City's owners of the club, following the Premier League commission's guilty verdict on 115 charges of breaching financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.

David Kogan, chair of the IFR, said the body can assess whether owners, directors and executives of a club remain fit to hold their positions, and that it stands ready to act if the evidence warrants it.

«The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues, The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals».

The commission found City guilty of disguised owner funding, inaccurate financial reporting and off-the-books payments to managers. The Mirror reports the club was accused of sham contracts, of inflating deals worth £900million, and of widespread deception. Abu Dhabi has funded the club since taking ownership, and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak now faces scrutiny over whether that ownership can continue.

Kogan made clear the IFR will not move until the legal process runs its course. City have until Friday to lodge an appeal, which is expected, though there is no fixed timetable for how long that appeal might take. Rival Premier League clubs are pushing for the case to be heard before the end of the season, but there is no guarantee of that.

Established under the Football Governance Act and operating independently of both the Premier League and the Football Association, the IFR was set up to oversee the top five divisions of English men's professional football. This is the first case to test whether its ownership powers reach as far as a club of City's size.