Following a historic World Cup campaign where Erling Haaland helped Norway end their 28-year absence, far exceeding expectations and leading the national team to the quarter-finals, a feat which marked a significant milestone for Norwegian football and cemented Haaland as one of the world’s leading footballers.
Haaland also faced an exceptional beginning to the English Premier League 2026-27 season, with Manchester City F.C. sitting second on the table with 7 wins from the first 7 matches.
This strong start to the season would’ve ordinarily pointed to Man City as convincing favourites to win another title. However, their on-field performances remain overshadowed by severe financial scandals, which threaten to undermine their success and create uncertainty over their future.
The club has been under investigation since 2023, with the case reaching a significant turning point on 25 September, when the Premier League sent shockwaves through the football world by announcing that Man City have been found guilty by an independent commission of 114 out of 115 charges related to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The charges included allegations that the club had orchestrated “sham commercial deals” to inflate sponsorship deals by £830 million.
Man City was acquired in 2008 by the investment group Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG). The commission found that, between 2009–10 and 2017–18, City operated a scheme under which several commercial sponsors paid only part of their sponsorship fees, with ADUG funding the remainder, concluding that these arrangements artificially inflated the club’s reported revenues, enabling it to misrepresent its financial position and circumvent the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Etihad Airways, one of Man City’s main sponsors, issued a statement in which it argued that it had not been allowed to participate in the proceedings or provide relevant information. Etihad also rejected any implication that it had been involved in improper commercial arrangements.
Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Man City maintain their innocence and continue to deny any wrongdoing, launching an appeal against the decision. With the scandal hanging over the Premier League, every victory comes with an invisible asterisk. Many claim this has rendered Man City’s Premier League season meaningless, given the potential scale of the consequences, with talks of expulsion and relegation as well as record-breaking point deductions and financial sanctions. The consequences may also extend beyond the Premier League. UEFA’s involvement creates the prospect of further repercussions at European level and has revealed that, if the Appeal is rejected, Man City could face a 7-10-year ban from the Champions League. Such a sanction could also signify a potential exclusion from the Europa and Conference Leagues.
Man City’s chairman has expressed confidence in the club’s defence, claiming that the club holds “irrefutable evidence” which will come to light during the appeal. With a decision expected in early 2027, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for Manchester City, determining the future of both the club and its players.
By: Adriana Ciott