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Manchester City’s alleged charges have been increased to 130

It will still be a while before we hear a final verdict.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th December 2024

Manchester City’s hearing over their 115 alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) has ended and the outcome is that their charges have now been increased to 130.

Not exactly what Blues will want to hear.

The hearing officially concluded last Friday, 6 December after a 12-week process to determine whether they broke Premier League regulations regarding PSR (profit and sustainability), with accusations initially spanning a nine-year period.

However, rather than making any progress when it comes to clearing their record, it looks as though the opposite has happened.

Man City are now alleged to have committed 130 breaches of Premier League rules with both parties still able to enter an official appeal.

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The hearing was held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre near St Paul’s in London, kicking off in September before coming to a close on Friday, 6 December.

Fans will no doubt have been hoping for and maybe even expecting a much more positive update, especially after having been successful in their recent case against the division regarding sponsorship deals and Associated Party Transactions (APT).

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As well as the number of alleged breaches having risen to 130, the period of offence is also now said to have been extended, jumping from just under a decade to a total of 14 years.

The Times writer Martyn Ziegler says the club could quietly learn of their fate as soon as next month and even though a final decision still isn’t expected until spring 2025, should either side appeal the final outcome, this will likely draw out proceedings for several more months.

Man City’s charges have gone from 115 to 130. (Credit: The Manc Group)

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For context, City still deny all of the claims laid against them, which include failing to provide accurate financial information for as many as nine seasons, full details of players’ wages, hiding the true figure former manager Roberto Mancini was paid for her service, as well as failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation and UEFA’s FFP rules.

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The club were slapped with a two-year European ban back in 2020 and have been fined by the European footballing body previously, but that ban was ultimately dropped and even their most recent financial punishment was dropped from £30 million to just £10m – chump change given their spending power.

It still remains unclear what exactly will happen to the reigning English champions if they are found guilty but with Pep Guardiola’s also struggling for form of late, having lost five games in a row for the first time in the Catalan’s career, those inside the Etihad could do with some good news.

The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester in recent years is looking a little lost behind the clouds at the minute.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

News

Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street

An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.

Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.

Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.

Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.

He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.

“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.

“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”

If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.

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Featured image: Google Maps

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Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.

UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.

The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.

Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.

To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.

Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.

“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.

“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”

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Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.

Featured Image – Laughterama (Supplied)

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