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UEFA Confirms Previous FFP Cases Could Be Reopened

Man City's "alleged deception" of UEFA over tens of millions of pounds "looks set to be investigated" by the European governing body for possible financial fair play breaches, according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. UEFA issued a statement on Monday "confirming that previous cases could be reopened if new information comes to light," and that previously-undisclosed information "could also be used in present FFP assessments." The statement "should cause concern" among Man City’s execs after leaked files from '15 showed that £59.5M that was supposed to have come from sponsor Etihad Airways "was paid directly to the club" by owner Abu Dhabi United Group. That would "potentially breach FFP rules as there is a limit to the amount of capital owners can inject into clubs." Leaks published by Der Spiegel also alleged Man City set up a secret scheme called "Project Longbow," which "effectively hid" around £40M in payments to players, after the club agreed to a €20M fine as a settlement for FFP breaches. UEFA's statement said, "Uefa conducts an annual assessment of all clubs against the break-even requirements of FFP on a rolling three-year basis. If new information comes to light that may be material to this assessment, Uefa will use that to challenge the figures and will seek explanation, clarification or rebuttal from the club concerned." Man City's "biggest concern will be around the Etihad sponsorship deal" (LONDON TIMES, 11/13).

ARTIFICIAL INFLATION?: In London, Murad Ahmed reported European Investigative Collaborations, which published the leaks last week, "has relied on leaked documents and internal communications" at Man City to allege that the club "artificially inflated the value of sponsorship deals." The reports "allege the club undertook these measures to mask the true size of the club’s breach of FFP rules" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/13). The London TELEGRAPH reported Man City has "repeatedly described Der Spiegel's reports" as the product of a "clear and organised" attempt to tarnish its reputation. But with Der Spiegel's specific allegations "remaining unchallenged, UEFA has finally indicated it has the stomach for a fight." UEFA also defended the FFP system, saying that it "had helped clubs across Europe" go from a cumulative debt of £1.5B in '11 to more than £500M in profits last year. UEFA added, "Without question, (FFP) has been a success for the game across Europe" (TELEGRAPH, 11/12).

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