Manchester City under accusation: lawyer Pietro Alosi explains legal risks

Manchester City is at the centre of a legal whirlwind: 155 alleged financial violations have been contested, and lawyer Pietro Alosi, from the Palermo Bar, has outlined the possible scenarios for the club and for the group of companies it belongs to.

Origins of the investigation

The question arose in 2018, when journalists published articles about alleged economic irregularities of the club. The English FA launched an investigation, UEFA excluded the club from competitions, but the TAS later revoked the financial and sporting sanction. Recently the FA reopened the checks.

The contested violations

According to Alosi, the club's chairman would have indicated higher amounts in advertising contracts, thus inflating revenues and altering financial regularity. The issue therefore concerns a possible alteration of advertising revenue data.

Possible UEFA repercussions

Alosi explains that, although the club has lodged an appeal, a possible English conviction would not affect UEFA. The revocation of European titles is not foreseen, unless the UEFA‑related disputes are reopened. The limitation period for UEFA is five years, so older facts cannot be re‑examined.

Sanction scenarios

In the worst case, the club could face exclusion from the league, but Alosi describes that as an extreme hypothesis. A points penalty is more likely. For the other companies in the group, such as Palermo, Girona or New York City, the impact would be financial, not sporting.

Impact on the group

The lawyer believes that a large financial sanction could hit the entire group, but he sees no direct sporting issues for the affiliated teams. A transfer market freeze for Manchester City is considered unlikely.

Future prospects

Alosi concludes that the episode will push group owners to monitor more closely compliance with Fair Play and the financial parameters required by UEFA.