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      Man City cough up £30MILLION on lawyers to fight Premier League’s 115 charges – more than star defender’s wages

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      MANCHESTER CITY have spent over £30million on lawyers to fight the Premier League’s 115 charges.The latest accounts for parent company City Football Group shows that City had splashed a running total of £30,596,000 on legal fees in the war against PL chiefs over alleged rule breaches by the end of the 2023-24 campaign.Manchester City have spent more than £30million on lawyers fighting Prem chargesCredit: GettyThe club have won six titles since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016Credit: PAThat was an increase of nearly £10.7m on the figure from 12 months before – or £205,000 per week.The staggering sum is equivalent to what Josko Gvardiol, one of City’s top 10 earning players last season, was paid.CFG said in documents filed at Companies House that the £30,596,000 was “due to expenses incurred by City Football Group Limited on behalf of Newton Investment and Management”.NIM is the Abu Dhabi-based company through which Sheikh Mansour owns his majority stake in CFG, which in turn owns City and a number of other clubs worldwide.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSunSport understands that this money is the running total of City’s legal costs in their war against the Prem chief.And the bill for this season is set to be the highest yet.The main disciplinary case between the Premier League and the club was heard between September and December, with the three-person independent panel set to deliver their verdict in the coming weeks.Respected lawyer Lord Pannick KC was hired by the club in February last year to lead their legal team as they looked to clear their name.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKLord Pannick reportedly charges around £5,000 an hour for his services.By splashing out such huge sums City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is only making good on his alleged vow when City were fighting previous financial charges brought by Uefa.Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival AnfieldIn 2020, al-Nahyan was reported to have said he would said”“rather spend £30million on the 50 best lawyers” and sue Uefa “for the next 10 years” than accept their punishment.His remark came after the club were banned from the Champions League for two years and hit with a £25million fine, after being found of falsely inflating their sponsorship revenues when submitting accounts.The ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) a few months later and the fine was reduced to £8.9million for their “disregard” of the principle of cooperation in investigations.City deny wrongdoing over the 115 charges, but could face severe punishments if the allegations are proven.Last month City won a separate legal battle with the Premier League over “unlawful” financial rules.An 18-page tribunal verdict ruled the Prem’s sponsorship regulations on Associated Party Transactions – which ran from December 2021 to November 2024 – were unlawful in their entirety.The Premier League recently warned its clubs that it spent more than £45million on legal bills last season, due to various disputes over its financial regulations. More

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      Carlo Ancelotti ‘faces FOUR-YEAR prison sentence’ as Real Madrid manager is accused of tax evasion

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI is facing FOUR YEARS behind bars for alleged tax evasion.The Real Madrid gaffer is accused of deliberately misinforming the Spanish tax office of his earnings during his first spell in charge of the club between 2014 and 2015.Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of deliberately misinforming the Spanish tax office of his earnings during his first stint at Real MadridCredit: REXIf found guilty, the Italian could face four years behind barsCredit: REXIt’s alleged that the Italian misled the tax office to avoid paying over £833,000 in income tax.The 65-year-old is set to appear in court on April 2 to address the allegations.His court date will come the day after the first leg of Real’s Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Real Sociedad.That’s just six days before the first leg of Los Blancos’ Champions League quarter-final tie with Arsenal. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAncelotti has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, although the former AC Milan and Everton boss has previously underpaid tax.He admitted to not paying his fair share of tax in 2014 but blamed his doing so on errors from his accountants.The Italian is adamant he hasn’t broken the law, claiming he didn’t spend the 183 days in Spain required to pay tax.Prosecutors, however, will argue the bulk of his income came from Real as he didn’t take charge of Bayern Munich until December 2016.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSCarlo Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing and believes he’ll be exoneratedCredit: REXIf found guilty, Ancelotti could face FOUR YEARS behind bars.The veteran manager, however, is confident he’ll be exonerated of any wrongdoing.Watch Carlo Ancelotti lead Real Madrid stars in wacky dance before they throw him up in air after Champions League finalHe said of his legal issues: “This is an old story.”The Prosecutor’s Office believes I was a resident in 2015, and I believe I wasn’t.”The fine has been paid, and the case is in the hands of my lawyers.”I’m convinced I’m innocent. Let’s see what the judge decides.”Ancelotti isn’t the only high-profile Spanish football star to be embroiled in a tax scandal. Barcelona icon Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, were convicted of tax fraud for defrauding the government of £3.4million between 2007 and 2009.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2016, the Argentine was hit with a 21-month jail term for using tax havens to conceal his earnings from image rights. But he ended up paying a fine of £223,000 instead. More

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      Newly-emerged footage shows ‘disgusting act’ Kylian Mbappe did that could see him BANNED for Arsenal vs Real Madrid

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      NEW footage showing a “disgusting act” from Kylian Mbappe could boost Arsenal’s Champions League hopes. Mbappe, plus Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos, already face a Uefa probe and possible ban.Kylian Mbappe is being investigated after this act in front of Atletico fansCredit: X / Rory_Talks_BallMbappe broke off from other Real players as they faced Atleti supportersCredit: X / Rory_Talks_BallAntonio Rudiger and Co didn’t holdback with their victory celebrationsCredit: ReutersIt follows Real’s controversial celebrations after beating neighbours Atletico in the last 16.A Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is investigating claims of “indecent conduct” by the four superstars.Any suspension for those key men would surely improve Arsenal’s chances of seeing off Real in the quarter-finals.The Gunners host the reigning Champions League kings in the first leg on April 8, before visiting Spain for the return tie eight days later.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow Mbappe could be in even hotter water – after a clip emerged appearing to show him mimicking a lewd act in front of Atletico fans.Fellow Real aces were jigging with delight towards the angry home fans, apparently taunting them over Atletico’s shootout agony.In the newly-shown video, the 26-year-old can be seen away from that pack of jubilant team-mates.The France striker is captured mouthing something towards the crowd and making a rude had movement that certainly won’t help his case with Uefa.Most read in Champions LeagueAntonio Rudiger is under investigation following this gestureCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe already stands accused of touching his genitals in a derogatory way.A man who posted the latest footage wrote: “Such a disgusting act from Mbappe.”Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed terms on a move to Real Madrid this summer, according to reports A tense atmosphere at the Metropolitano became worse after Atletico’s Julian Alvarez had a shootout penalty ruled by VAR.Atleti are since understood to have formally complained to Uefa about behaviour ON the pitch.Vinicius is accused of taking six “shots” at home supporters amid two separate confrontations during and after the game.The Brazilian, 24, has long been long targeted by opposition fans and has been a regular victim of racist abuse.Rudiger is alleged to have made a throat-slitting gesture to Atleti fans.And Ceballos is also being investigated, over claims he made an obscene gesture with a clenched fist.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, ex-Chelsea defender  Rudiger began a jubilant high-knee dance after hitting the winning spot-kick.Many Real team-mates, including subs, joined in as the bitter rivalry between the two clubs boiled over. More

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      Pep Guardiola suggests Man City trophy bonuses should be scrapped as stars ‘don’t deserve even a watch’ this season

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      PEP GUARDIOLA admits he and his underperforming Manchester City stars do not deserve a bonus if they are crowned world champions this summer – not even a souvenir watch!The outgoing Premier League champs head to the States to take part in the first ever FIFA Club World Cup this summer.Pep Guardiola seems to feel his players can’t redeem their seasonCredit: ReutersIt is a competition which City’s Abu Dhabi owners are placing great focus on – and FIFA upped the stakes this week by announcing astonishing prize money.The winners will walk away with around £100 million – roughly what the bottom-placed Premier League club makes over the entire season in TV and prize money.That would normally mean a healthy bonus coming the way of City staff.But straight-talking Guardiola says he and his staff on and off the pitch will not merit it, after their miserable domestic campaign.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSHe said: “We don’t deserve it this season.“We don’t deserve a bonus this season. The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much.“You go there, (winning) it’s for the club. The managers, the backroom staff, the players we don’t deserve, not even a watch.”Eye-watering bonuses are part and parcel of the top-level game, with reports that City regulars pocketed around £2 million each for winning the treble two seasons ago – half of that for success in the Champions League.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKNonetheless, Guardiola’s under-achievers can still salvage something from their poor domestic season by winning the FA Cup.Fifth-placed City visit Bournemouth, who have slipped to 10th, in the quarter-finals on Sunday.Why Man City could be dumped out of the FA Cup by Bournemouth | Experts’ best bets – Weekend WagerGuardiola said of the Cherries: “They have a special way of playing and it works with the players and the ideas that they have. “Every team plays in a specific way and they do it really well. Other teams are more direct, other teams want more crosses.”Guardiola is aiming to become only the fourth manager since World War Two to lift the FA Cup for a third time.The other three are certainly managerial legends too – Bill Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. More

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      Bayern Munich threaten to sue Canada’s national team over ‘clear violation’ in Alphonso Davies injury

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      BAYERN MUNICH are considering legal action against the Canadian Soccer Federation after Alphonso Davies’ injury.The full-back, 24, is out for the rest of the season due to a torn ligament and further damage to his right knee.Bayern are fuming at Alphonso Davies’ injury and treatmentCredit: GettyThe Canada defender had surgery, ruling him out until the summerCredit: ReutersThat occurred on Sunday while playing in Canada’s 2-1 victory over the USA in the third-place decider for the CONCACAF Nations League.The star has undergone surgery after returning to Bayern, who have accused the Canadians of failing to provide “appropriate care” for Davies.Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen fumed: “We’re demanding a full investigation into the events from Canada Soccer and expressly reserve the right to take legal action.“Sending a clearly injured player with a damaged knee on a 12-hour intercontinental flight without a thorough medical assessment is, in our view, grossly negligent and a clear breach of medical duty of care.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Davies should not have been playing at all. The participation of Davies, who already had muscular problems before the game, in a match of no sporting significance is incomprehensible from our point our view.”Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund also blasted the treatment by Canada’s medical team as he added: “Phonzy complained of fatigue.“He’s the team captain, a young lad who wants to help his country. Most read in FootballThe Germans will miss Davies for their important run-inBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Then there’s this injury. I think it’s negligent, unprofessional.”Bayern boss Vincent Kompany will be without Davies for Bayern’s Bundesliga run-in and quest to reach the Champions League final at their home stadium.Bastian Schweinsteiger is booed by own Bayern fans who think he is leaving before he announces he is staying French defender Dayot Upamecano also returned from Nations League duty with a knee injury, although it is not as serious.Fellow defender Kim Min-jae was already sidelined.Another Bayern defender, Dayot Upamecano, also picked up an injuryCredit: AFP More

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      Bukayo Saka returns to training with two word-post as Arsenal get major boost ahead of Real Madrid clash

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      BUKAYO SAKA is on the verge of an Arsenal return.The Gunners star was pictured for the first time back in full training at London Colney today after undergoing hamstring surgery in December.Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka has returned to full trainingCredit: Instagram / bukayosaka87The England star is in contention to play in the Gunners’ upcoming games after recovering from surgeryCredit: ReutersSaka teased fans in an Instagram post showing him smiling with his thumbs up alongside the caption: “Hello again.”And SunSport understands he is in contention to be included in the squad to face Fulham on Tuesday night ahead of vital clashes against Everton and Real Madrid.Saka, 23, tore his hamstring in a 5-1 Prem win over Crystal Palace on December 21 before having surgery to fix the issue days later.He has missed 19 games in all competitions since then, a run that saw Arsenal knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, as well as lose ground in the Prem title race.Read More on ArsenalThe target was always for Saka to make it back for the Champions League quarter final first leg at home to Real Madrid on April 8 – and he looks on course to achieve that.Arteta is keen for Saka to get some minutes under his belt before then, with opportunities to do so at the Emirates against the Cottagers next week before a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton on April 5.Despite his impressive recovery and rehab so far, Arsenal remain wary over pushing Saka too hard too soon. He will likely be given cameo appearances off the bench to prove his fitness and get back up to speed.Saka has stepped up his training load during the international break while his teammates have been away with their countries.Most read in FootballBefore the break, asked how Saka would be progressing, Arteta explained: “Hopefully with more ball at his feet than he has had. “That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own. “Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.”Despite his absence, Saka has been a constant presence in and around the team during his rehab, seen on crutches at the turn of the year supporting from the stands at the Emirates.On the club’s warm-weather retreat to Dubai last month, Saka flew out with the squad to carry on his individualised solo training plan with light gym work.He was also spotted in the Wembley tunnel speaking to Three Lions coach Thomas Tuchel after England’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Latvia on Monday.Saka’s return has been aided by some much-needed rest, spending time abroad on holiday with his family in late January.Arsenal are in need of some attacking inspiration after Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were ruled out for the season with hamstring and knee issues respectively, forcing midfielder Mikel Merino to deputise as a centre forward.And manager Mikel Arteta received yet another blow during the international break as Riccardo Calafiori had to withdraw from Italy’s squad after hurting his knee.Saka’s influence cannot be understated. Even after a three-month lay-off, he remains the leading provider of goals and assists in all competitions for Arsenal this term [nine goals and 13 assists].Three points adrift of Prem leaders Liverpool at the time of his injury, Arteta’s men now find themselves 13 points behind with nine games to play.Arteta was desperate to bring in reinforcements during the January window, linked with Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but could not get a deal over the line.Arsenal could be set for another major boost as Real face being without four stars for the first leg.Superstar strikers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior as well as former Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger and ex-Gunner Dani Caballos face an official Uefa probe for allegedly making obscene gestures after their victory over Atletico Madrid in the Last-16.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesVinicius was the most high-profile case as he reportedly took six “shots” at Atletico supporters during and after the clash at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.Rudiger, on the other hand, was accused of making a throat-slitting gesture to Atleti supporters.READ MORE SUN STORIESCeballos, who spent two years at Arsenal before his return to Madrid in 2021, is accused of making an obscene one-armed gesture with a clenched fist.And Mbappe was reported for touching his genitals in a clearly derogatory manner.Saka underwent surgery on his hamstring and has missed the last three monthsCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal Champions League boost as Mbappe leads FOUR Real Madrid stars under Uefa investigation for ‘indecent conduct’

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      ARSENAL could be handed a massive Champions League boost with FOUR Real Madrid stars potentially BANNED from next month’s quarter final clash.Superstar strikers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Dani Caballos all face an official Uefa probe for their antics against Atletico Madrid in the last-16.Kylian Mbappe is one of four Real Madrid stars under investigationCredit: AlamyAntonio Rudiger began a jubilant high-knee run after scoring the winning penalty against Atletico MadridCredit: ReutersRudigerappeared to aim a throat-cutting gesture at Atleti supportersCredit: GettyUEFA said it appointed a disciplinary inspector to study the unspecified allegationsCredit: GettyA Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of “indecent conduct” by all four players.The unspecified incidents occurred during Real’s second leg last-16 victory against city rivals Atletico on March 12.Their punishment, if found guilty, is not yet known.But IF they are banned, it could be a huge advantage for Arsenal, who are missing several key players through injury.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSThe Gunners host the 15-time European champions on Tuesday 8, with the return leg at the Bernabeu the following Wednesday.And Vinicius and Mbappe are joint-highest in club goals in the Champions League this season, with seven goals apiece.Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals in a controversial 4-2 shootout after Atletico won the second leg 1-0 to tie the aggregate score at 2-2.Tensions were high at the Metropolitano before, and after, Julian Alvarez’ spot-kick was disqualified by VAR.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAtletico are understood to have filed a formal complaint to Uefa, which then began its investigation.Vinicius was the most high-profile case, as he reportedly took six “shots” at Atleti supporters during and after the clash.Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed terms on a move to Real Madrid this summer, according to reports The Brazilian, long targeted by rival fans and who has been a regular victim of racist abuse, was involved in two separate confrontations with home fans before and after the shoot-out.The 24-year-old skied a penalty in normal time and had been substituted in extra-time but taunted them by pointing to the Real crest on his coat.Rudiger was accused of making a throat-slitting gesture to home supporters.Ceballos is accused of making an obscene one-armed gesture with a clenched fist before joining Jude Bellingham in a victory dance at the very end of the match.German centre-back Rudiger – who won his first Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 – began a jubilant high-knee dance after scoring the winning penalty on the night.Most of the team followed, with subs imitating it. Mbappe was reported for touching his genitals in a clearly derogatory manner.Diego Simeone was banned for grabbing his bits during a Champions League match against Juventus.READ MORE SUN STORIESReal are likely to point out that their players were hit by bottles and other objects thrown by home supporters but the investigation could end up with serious repercussions.It remains to be seen whether Rudiger, Ceballos, Vinicius or Mbappe are charged by Uefa over these incidents.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      ‘One day someone is going to die’ – Fans concerned as struggling Uruguay star forced to take OXYGEN 4km above sea level

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      FOOTBALL fans were left stunned after seeing a Champions League star need the support of an oxygen mask to breathe during a game 4,000km above sea level.The scenes were an unbelievable sight during a World Cup qualifying clash between Bolivia and Uruguay.Jose Gimenez was seen breathing heavily near the end of Uruguay’s clash with BoliviaHe needed an oxygen maskThe match was being played at a stadium more than 4km above sea levelIn the final few minutes of the game, Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez was seen breathing heavily before walking off the pitch to pick up an oxygen mask.The 30-year-old is then seen breathing into the mask to combat the difficult conditions he was playing in at the Villa Ingenio stadium in El Alto.The stadium sits a staggering 13,615 feet or 4.1kilometres above sea level.The Bolivian FA remarkably decided to move to this venue last October to help them qualify for the World Cup in 2026.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBolivia have always been tough to beat at home due to their traditional home, La Paz, sitting 11,940 feet above sea level. But three defeats in five games in World Cup qualifying left them in dire need of a result and prompted the switch to the venue 2,000 feet higher.At the height of the new venue, total air density decreases to around 0.82 grams per litre of which there is only roughly 0.17 grams of oxygen per litre.Less oxygen means more difficulty breathing, which naturally is counterproductive in a sport like football when players are constantly on the move.Most read in SportThe Bolivia clash ended 0-0 with Uruguay defender Gimenez able to complete the match, but fans on social media were disgusted at the risks being taken for the match.One fan on social media said: “One day someone is going to die.”Argentina players celebrate humiliating rivals Brazil in World Cup qualifier A second said: “Crazy!!”A third added: “South American football is something else.”The plan has not exactly gone to plan for Bolivia either, failing to win either game at home since the move. More