Reds chiefs ‘encourage’ Premier League to probe City

LONDON: Liverpool chiefs are among a group of American owners in English football’s top flight who pushed the Premier League to join UEFA in investigating allegations of financial cheating by Manchester City.

City launched a furious defence this week after European football’s governing body opened an inquiry into the allegations made in German magazine Der Spiegel through a serious of leaked documents.

It is claimed City bypassed FFP rules on how much owners can pump into clubs by signing commercial deals with Emirati sponsors, which were actually funded by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed alNahyan, the club’s owner and member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.

The Premier League followed suit on Friday by announcing they will investigate the financial fair play claims, as well as allegations concerning the recruitment of academy players and third-party ownership.

Pressure on the Premier League to act has come principally from the American owners of clubs such as Liverpool and Crystal Palace. They came into English football from US sports where there has long been a culture of strict financial regulation.

The Times reported on Friday that as many as a dozen clubs are planning to write to the Premier League. An approach of that kind is more likely than a direct complaint at a Premier League shareholders meeting, given that clubs tend to shy away from confrontation in that environment.

The Premier League statement said: “The Premier League have previously contacted Manchester City to request information regarding recent allegations and are in ongoing dialogue with the club.”