Reason why Manchester City is yet to face FFP punishment for 115 breaches
According to Metro, the Premier League’s decision to hand Everton a second points deduction on Monday has left fans perplexed over Manchester City’s apparent lack of punishment.
Previously, clubs in England’s top-flight had voted to expedite independent commissions for teams accused of overspending, aiming to ensure that any potential punishment closely matched the severity of the breach.
This led to Everton and Forest facing penalties swiftly.
However, the Premier League asserts that the City case differs due to the depth, scale, and complexity of the 115 charges against them, as reported by The Telegraph.
Everton had faced just one charge initially, leading to their initial 10-point deduction, later reduced to six, allowing for a faster resolution compared to City’s case.
Manchester City stands accused of breaching financial rules spanning a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, allegedly failing to provide accurate financial information.
The Premier League referred the case to an independent commission, although Man City vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
The Premier League argues that the City case presents logistical challenges, necessitating more time to reach a verdict on punishment.
Everton, however, are dissatisfied with this explanation, feeling they opened themselves up to a swifter resolution by cooperating with the Premier League.
Everton manager Sean Dyche, a former defender in the youth ranks at Forest, addressed the issue in February, highlighting the confusion surrounding the differing treatments of clubs.
“Just like everyone else, we are all wondering what makes one rule for one and one rule for the other,” Dyche remarked.
He continued, “I think you’ll agree that it is not just from Evertonians.
I know football people.
I live in Nottingham, I know Forest fans, and when I’m traveling around I stop at services and there’s always football fans and they go: ‘What’s that all about?'”
Ilkay Gundogan says Man City have a player who is simply the most ‘underrated’ in his position in the world
Photo by Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Ilkay Gundogan has claimed that Manchester City have a player who is the most “underrated” in his position in the world.
There are plenty of candidates that fit Gundogan’s description at City.
One of them is Jack Grealish when looking at some of the best left-wingers in world football.
Grealish has responded to such stick in the best possible way by putting in two cracking displays against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
With Jack Grealish not being a traditional winger, one can understand why some forget to name him as one of the best of the best but his impact on the pitch indicates he is top quality.
MORE MAN CITY STORIES
Manuel Akanji’s versatility might mean he goes under the radar.
After City’s 4-2 win against Crystal Palace, Guardiola lauded the 28-year-old’s performance at left-back, which goes to show how tactically flexible he is.
But perhaps Akanji’s comfortability across the backline might mean some view him as a utility player rather than a brilliant, multifunctional defender.
Manchester City v Sevilla FC: Group G – UEFA Champions League
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Gundogan says Man City ace is the ‘most underrated’ player in his position in the world
Nathan Ake has made outstanding progress at the Etihad Stadium since last season and his status as a genuinely world-class player might be questioned by some.
However, after making a few errors at the start of the season, Ake has returned to his brilliant best and is showcasing that whether it be at centre-back or at left-back, he will deliver more often than not.
But the Dutchman has had a unique career.
At Chelsea, the treble-winner was viewed as a wonderkid and after finally leaving Stamford Bridge to sign for Bournemouth, it seemed like he had finally found his calling.
Perhaps some wondered why he took the next step and joined City as he found it tough to nail down a place in the starting XI.
But as Ake’s patience was rewarded last season as he went on to become a regular starter, perhaps some still view him as a bit-part player rather than a defender who has taken a huge leap to become one of the best in Europe.
However, Gundogan did not name Grealish, Akanji or Ake.
Instead, Ilkay Gundogan named Stefan Ortega, while quote tweeting a clip of his audacious skill inside the box against Crystal Palace after being given the ball in a risky place by Rodri.
“The most underrated goalkeeper in the world”, he wrote on X about Manchester City’s number 35 while also adding the hashtag, “Baller.”
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) April 6, 2024
View Tweet
Ilkay Gundogan seems to be a huge admirer of Stefan Ortega, replying to his Instagram post after City’s 2-0 win against Newcastle United in the FA Cup by commenting, “What a goalkeeper!”
Ilkay Gundogan has a point about Stefan Ortega
Ilkay Gundogan does make an interesting claim about Stefan Ortega.
Seen as the former Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper is a number two, he perhaps does not get the credit he deserves.
However, every time Ortega is called upon by Guardiola, he does not seem like much of a downgrade to Ederson and as far as shotstopping goes, a case can be made that the German is superior to the Brazilian.
Stefan Ortega has shown since Ederson’s injury that he is at the level where he would be the number one for most clubs in Europe, due to his incredible shotstopping ability, impressive distribution and command of the box.
But as Gundogan mentioned, his former teammate might be as “underrated” as he claims he and that is certainly due to him being a bit-part player at the Etihad Stadium.
Leave a Reply