New Delhi: Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, are once again under scrutiny, but this time it’s not just about their dominance on the field. The club faces 115 charges related to alleged financial breaches, and the internet hasn’t wasted a moment in responding with a flood of memes and jokes. While the seriousness of the charges looms large, fans and rival supporters alike have taken to social media to share their reactions to the upcoming hearing.
The charges, first announced in February last year, cover a period of nine years, dating back to when City was bought by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family in 2008. The club, which has lifted the Premier League title four times in the last five seasons, is accused of providing misleading financial information during this time.
The hearing started on Monday, September 14, and manager Pep Guardiola has remained calm, expressed his relief that proceedings will finally begin. “I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumours,” Guardiola stated, stressing the importance of innocence until proven guilty.
Meanwhile, fans and social media pages have been quick to jump on the humour bandwagon, with memes poking fun at the charges and the possible outcomes. But beneath the jokes, the situation for Manchester City is anything but trivial.
What charges are faced by Manchester City and when is the hearing?
The Manchester City owner Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan applauds his team onto the pitch before the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10th 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)
Manchester City is being accused of multiple financial breaches, specifically of providing misleading information about its finances between 2009 and 2018. This period covers City’s meteoric rise in European football, which saw them sign world-class players like Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, and Kevin de Bruyne. The Premier League’s financial fair play (FFP) rules, which aim to ensure clubs do not spend more than they earn, have been at the heart of the accusations.
The charges surfaced after a lengthy four-year investigation by the Premier League, following leaks published by Der Spiegel in 2018. These documents, allegedly hacked, pointed to attempts by City to obscure the source of their income to meet FFP requirements. Additionally, the club is accused of not cooperating fully with the investigation, further deepening the controversy.
The hearing will be conducted behind closed doors by an independent panel consisting of three judges, appointed by the league’s judicial chair. While the hearing has started on Monday, it could take months or even longer to reach a verdict. If City is found guilty, potential punishments could range from fines and points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League, in what would be an extreme case.
Memes galore on Manchester City over social media
Social media has been buzzing with hilarious takes on the situation. Fans have flooded the internet with memes, poking fun at the possibility of Manchester City facing serious repercussions.
Me to the judge if Manchester City’s 115 charges get dropped pic.twitter.com/aqFSokAyrN
— Nonzinho (@CFCCench) September 16, 2024
A post from Paddy Power humorously shows a team photo labelled as City’s “biggest test of the season”, while another fan joked that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might finally get the credit for the 2020/2021 title if City is found guilty. Others, like Chino, shared their disbelief about the charges, implying City might escape punishment after all.
Manchester City’s 115 if ruled guilty means Ole Gunnar won the league in the 2020/2021 season.
Ole we are sorry 😭
— Perry (@_UTDPerry) September 16, 2024
Me reading about Manchester City’s 115 charges and realizing they might not be found guilty after all pic.twitter.com/xPnfDcSaif
— Chino (@ChinoUTD) September 16, 2024
The traditional team photo ahead of Manchester City’s biggest test of the season.#115Charges pic.twitter.com/lKc5JnvLDF
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2024
Even Chelsea fans couldn’t resist, with one supporter imagining how they’d react if City does indeed get expelled. While the memes have provided some comic relief, the outcome of this hearing could have massive implications for the future of the Premier League.
As Manchester City faces 115 charges of financial breaches, fans flood social media with hilarious memes and reactions. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
