Manchester City has come under renewed scrutiny over its financial conduct, with calls for a criminal investigation following the club’s finding of liability for more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
Lord Cruddas, a Conservative Party peer and founder of CMC Markets, which sponsors Everton’s front-of-shirt, said the matter could potentially extend beyond football regulations if financial accounts were falsified or auditors misled.
“If accounts have been falsified and auditors have been misled, then it is potentially a criminal matter,” Cruddas said, arguing that directors of a UK company could face personal liability in cases involving alleged fraud.
The comments add another dimension to the long-running controversy surrounding Manchester City’s financial affairs, which has already generated significant attention within English football.
The Premier League’s case against City concerns alleged breaches covering several seasons from 2009 to 2018. The club has consistently denied wrongdoing and has contested the allegations.
The latest calls for a criminal investigation therefore raise questions about whether the issues should remain solely within the scope of football’s regulatory framework or whether other authorities should examine any potential financial misconduct.
The matter remains subject to the relevant legal and regulatory processes.
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