Manchester City ‘fully co-operating in good faith’ with UEFA investigation

The Premier League champions have, however, expressed concern about reports that investigators are pushing for a Champions League ban before the European governing body’s probe has officially been completed.

UEFA punished City for FFP breaches in 2014 but opened a new investigation earlier this year following fresh allegations.

If found guilty, City could be excluded from European competition but no timescale regarding the investigation has been made public and the club are angered by reports UEFA investigators will recommend a ban.

A statement from City read: “Manchester City FC is fully co-operating in good faith with the CFCB IC’s (club financial control body investigatory chamber) ongoing investigation.

“In doing so the club is reliant on both the CFCB IC’s independence and commitment to due process; and on UEFA’s commitment of March 7 that it ‘…will make no further comment on the matter while the investigation is ongoing’.

"The New York Times report citing ‘people familiar with the case’ is therefore extremely concerning.

“The implications are that either Manchester City’s good faith in the CFCB IC is misplaced or the CFCB IC process is being misrepresented by individuals intent on damaging the club’s reputation and its commercial interests. Or both.”

City were fined £49million and hit with restrictions on transfer spending and the size of their Champions League squad after the original investigation five years ago.

However, UEFA began a new probe after further allegations about the same period initally looked into were made in German publication Der Spiegel last year.

City have denied any wrongdoing.

The statement added: “Manchester City’s published accounts are full and complete and a matter of legal and regulatory record. The accusation of financial irregularities are entirely false, and comprehensive proof of this fact has been provided to the CFCB IC.”

A statement from UEFA read: “We do not comment on ongoing investigations regarding financial fair-play matters.”