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      Man City verdict in legal challenge to Premier League rules ‘set to be revealed in coming days’

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      MANCHESTER CITY could hear the verdict on a huge legal battle with the Premier League within days.The champions are challenging financial rules designed to stop clubs getting an unfair advantage from massive sponsorship deals.Man City await the result of a big case over sponsorship dealings, but the matter of their alleged 115 fairplay breaches could take months more to resolveCredit: AlamyThe appeal is separate from the case over City’s alleged 115 breaches of Prem financial rules.But it too has big repercussions – as some rival clubs worry the top-flight’s global standing will be damaged if the Etihad club wins.Prem chiefs brought in “associated-party” transaction (APT) financial rules in December 2021 following Newcastle’s Saudi-backed takeover.The aim was to stop teams inflating sponsorship deals with organisations linked to the club owners.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThe new rules were also intended to make sure transfers involving teams with multi-club ownerships remained fair.The Telegraph suggest many Prem opponents would be alarmed if City win their appeal.It’s also claimed a result is due imminently.Rivals reckon the Prem needs to keep the financial controls.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe fear is that losing them could create less interest in the English game at the top level across the world.That’s because it might get more difficult for so-called smaller clubs to compete financially with bigger rivals taking advantage of sponsorship arrangements.Furious Ian Wright calls Erling Haaland a ‘coward’ and says Man City star throwing ball at Gabriel ‘really boiled me up’ City launched their action in February – arguing that the rules were discriminatory.The Times revealed that Etihad chiefs want “damages for the losses which it [claims to have] incurred as a result of [what they alleged to be] the unlawfulness of the FMV [fair market value] rules”.City further say that other teams are just trying to “safeguard their own commercial advantages”Prem rules state the aim of the rules is to end the “reliance on enhanced commercial revenues” from “entities linked to the club’s ownership”.They want to ensure that such dealings don’t give clubs an “unfair advantage over domestic competitors”.Meanwhile, in the headline-grabbing other case, City could face points deductions and even possible relegation if they are found guilty of numerous financial fairplay breaches, relating to 2009-2018.The club deny all charges and say their case is backed by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe private hearing into that matter is likely to last around 10 weeks, with a verdict expected early next year.What City may face if 115 breaches are provedBy Martin LiptonMANCHESTER City’s fate lies in the hands of the independent commission hearing the financial allegations that have hung over the club for the past 18 months.But while it is theoretically possible that the Etihad club could be banned from any competitions if they are found guilty it is, simply, not going to happen.Yes, if the commission decides the Prem charges have been proven, any and all punishments are available.That would include expulsion from the League and relegation into the lower tiers.But nobody, seriously, in the real world, believes City will be banished from the top four levels of the pyramid and cast into the National League – the only way in which they would be ineligible to play in the Carabao Cup.And while the FA will ratify any punishment imposed by the Prem, the commission has NO remit that allows it to impose a sanction that applies to any other competition.As in so many potential scenarios, the word “may” can do an awful lot of heavy lifting.I, for example, at 57, “may” be a shock signing for Arsenal. It won’t happen. But, theoretically, it “may”. If I suddenly win a few billion and buy the club, for example. Which “may” happen. But won’t.What is more intriguing – and could cause a difficult series of conversations – is a scenario in which City, having been found guilty – a very big “if” given the club’s vehement and persistent denials of all the allegations – were to win the Champions League this season, after being given a points deduction that ensures relegation.Under Uefa regulations, the holders of the competition have an AUTOMATIC right to try to retain their trophy.But all representatives of a country can only play in European competition if their names are proposed by the national federation.In other words, while people often do not realise it, no club can play in Europe without FA endorsement – normally something that is guaranteed.It would therefore fall on the FA – after discussions with Uefa – to decide if City’s name should be put forward. Similar issues would arise if they won either this season’s Carabou or FA Cups.As for the looming Club World Cup, City are already confirmed as participating, by dint of their 2022 Champions League win.Fifa rules do not give holders automatic entry to competitions, so even if they win in the USA next summer, they would have to qualify through Uefa.And if they are relegated even to the Championship, meaning at least a two season Uefa absence, they would have to win the Champions League in 2028 to qualify.City fans are in for a nervous few daysCredit: Getty- More

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      Football hooligan who left England fan with broken jaw in horrific Euros attack caught using face recognition technology

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      A FOOTBALL hooligan who attacked a fellow England supporter at the Euro 2024 was tracked down using facial recognition tech. Josh Waugh, 34, broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down WaughA witness took a photo of him and gave it to policem who tracked him down using Retrospective Facial Recognition Technology (RFR) and mass messaging app SOLV, The Times reports. It is the first time the technology has been used at an overseas tournament. Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down Waugh. The picture was used in a witness appeal issued using SOLV. Read more FootballIt got more than 54,000 hits and aided the police investigation into Waugh. He appeared at Middlesbrough magistrates’ court on Wednesday and got a three-year banning order.German police have not yet taken any action against him. Chief constable for Cheshire and the head of UK Football Policing, Mark Roberts, said: “This is the first time that we have used this type of technology at overseas tournaments, but as the results demonstrate it can make a real difference. Most read in Football”Thousands of people attend football matches every week, many of them travelling long distances, so trying to identify and locate a suspect on the ground can sometimes be difficult.Sir Alex Ferguson booked me a flight home from my holiday and hauled me back to Man Utd – I hadn’t done anything wrong“However, systems such RFR and SOLV allow us to identify offenders even when they’re hundreds of miles away, so we can ensure that those who do offend are arrested and held accountable for their actions.”Josh Waugh broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, GermanyCredit: Reuters More

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      Man City backed to be relegated by staggering 42 PER CENT of punters after huge court case kicked off

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been backed by nearly HALF of punters to be relegated.It comes as the court hearing into their alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules nears the end of its first week.Almost half of punters have placed bets on Man City to be relegatedCredit: RexMan City are facing between 115 and 130 charges brought against them by league bosses.This includes giving false accounts on player wages and sponsorships and failing to assist with the investigation.The financial breach charges stretch for nine years from 2009, while charges of withholding information run into 2023.The decision for the unprecedented trial is not likely to be known until the Spring.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut since the hearing began on Monday, punters have placed their bets on what they reckon the outcome will be.According to Betfair, a whopping 42 per cent of punters have placed single bets on Man City to be relegated.If found guilty, punishments could include a heavy financial penalty, points deductions, being stripped of previous titles and relegation.And it has now been revealed that City are at risk of being kicked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup too.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile there is also no certainty that the four-in-a-row Premier League champions would be able to compete in the Champions League and Club World Cup either.However, SunSport understands the latter is unlikely despite the rules allowing it to happen.’It was dead,’ says Peter Schmeichel as he savages Man City supporters and tells Micah Richards ‘leave the studio’Pep Guardiola’s Man City drew their most recent game 0-0 against Inter Milan in the Champions League.They have a 100 per cent winning record in the league so far, but host title rivals Arsenal on Sunday with one team set to lose their unbeaten start to the season. More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airport

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      AN EX-ARSENAL star has been charged with importing drugs.Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested on Wednesday morning after £600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted Airport.Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with importing drugsCredit: Getty£600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted AirportCredit: National Crime AgencyEmmanuel-Thomas has previously flaunted his lifestyle on InstagramCredit: InstagramThe striker will appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ court todayCredit: GettySuitcases, used to smuggle the drugs in, were discovered by UK Border Force after a flight arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, on September 2.The 33-year-old was detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers yesterday and has since been charged.Emmanuel-Thomas appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.The charge sheet states he is accused of “being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug — cannabis — on 2nd September, 2024, at London”.read more football newsHe was remanded into custody to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on October 18.Two women aged 28 and 32 were also arrested in connection with the drugs bust.They have both been charged with drug importation offences.The maximum sentence for smuggling cannabis into the UK is 14 years behind bars.Most read in FootballNCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal at the age of eight, signing a professional contract with the Gunners in 2008.He played a major role in the club’s youth team – scoring in every round of the 2008-9 FA Youth Cup.But the striker struggled to make a break-through into the first team and after a series of loan spells signed for Ipswich Town in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. He went on to play for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, and has also played for Aberdeen, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong. More

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      Premier League could be hit by mass referee holidays as officials win landmark court case

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      REFEREES’ CHIEFS have lost the latest round of their courtroom battle with the taxman and it could mean paid holiday for officials.The Supreme Court ruled that the PGMOL must treat part-time refs from League One downwards as employees and therefore provide benefits to go with that.Part-time referees must be paid holiday leave, rule the PGMOLIt means the body which oversees the officials from the Premier League downwards faces a huge bill for annual leave for around 60 referees and assistants.A whistle-blower told SunSport: “This could mean dozens of referees backdating claims for holidays in lieu. “Imagine them all deciding to take the rest of the season off on full pay? “Sitting on deck chairs with nobody to take charge of games in certain areas of the EFL.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAt present, referees in the lower reaches of the EFL are treated as self-employed and therefore not entitled to the trappings of permanent employment, although they do get expenses.Referees at this level tend to have other jobs in addition to taking charge of games. While PGMOL provides them with kit and equipment.The battle between PGMOL and HMRC is similar to that in 2021 when multinational online taxi service provider Uber was ordered to treat their drivers as paid employees.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPGMOL won the first round of the legal war. HMRC equalised by winning the second, sending the case to the highest court in the land. ‘I’d expect a foul’ – Paul Merson claims Arsenal’s winner at Tottenham shouldn’t have stood as VAR fails to interveneDespite the ruling by The Supreme Court, PGMOL can still appeal the judgement.The case has been dragging on since 2017 and may run for years.Our whistle-blower added: “And you thought VAR decisions took a long time?”The PGMOL claimed they were only contracted for services and therefore should be classed as self-employed.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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      ‘Secret’ venue where Man City will learn their Premier League fate revealed as club face threat of relegation

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      THE “secret” location for the Premier League’s hearing which could end with Manchester City being relegated has been revealed.While both sides in the dispute are sworn to secrecy, City’s legal lead, £5,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC, was spotted heading into the International Dispute Resolution Centre in the City of London.Lord Pannick KC is City’s legal headCredit: GettyPannick was spotted arriving at the International Dispute Resolution CentreCredit: Google EarthLord Pannick is part of a high-powered City team, which also included Philip Marshall KC.But his opposite number, heading the Prem’s legal arm, is a member of the SAME chambers at the Inns of Court.Adam Lewis KC, like Lord Pannick, works out of Blackstone Chambers and has previously acted for both the Prem and the FA.He is working alongside Blackstone colleague Andrew Hunter KC with a legal team of seven more behind them for day one of the hearing.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt is now understood that the three-member independent commission, approved by both sides, will conduct the majority of the likely 10-week hearing at the ven, just a stone’s throw from St Paul’s Cathedral.City have consistently denied all of the “115” charges – actually now 130 separate allegations – that were first laid against them, following a six-year probe, in February 2023.While the majority of the hearing will take place in a court-style room, with thousands of pages of documentary evidence expected to be produced by the two feuding legal teams, some witnesses may be quizzed remotely.Under Prem rules, all hearings take place behind closed doors with strict confidentiality requirements on all sides.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.It means the names of the commission members will not be publicly available until the final ruling and any sentence if the charges are proven.That is not expected to come for at least six months, with experts anticipating the “written reasons”, outlining the arguments, rebuttals and legal points from both sides, could stretch to 400 closely-typed pages.Premier League’s Biggest Spenders: Top 10 SeasonsIt is also now understood that the initial part of the case will see the Premier League lawyers seeking to prove that City were in breach of the regulations.Unlike criminal trials, the burden on proof for the Prem is the civil one of “balance of probabilities” rather than “beyond reasonable doubt”.But should the charges be upheld, there would effectively be a second element of the case, in which the two sides would argue over the sanction that should be applied.Under Prem regulations, all punishments – from a fine, through points deductions and up to expulsion from the League – would be at the discretion of the commission. More

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      Premier League star in neighbour row over basketball court & firepit built without permission WINS battle to keep them

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      A PREMIER League star in an intense row with his neighbour over a basketball court and firepit has won a battle to keep them.Ben Chilwell, 27, became embroiled in the disagreement when he raised the back garden of his £5m Surrey mansion and erected a retaining wall for a new walkway.The £5m mansion is undergoing works which neighbours have complained aboutCredit: Kevin DunnettBen Chilwell has won a battle to keep his basketball court and firepit at his mansionCredit: AlamyBut the Chelsea defender failed to get the go-ahead for the Ground Force-style makeover at his luxury five-bed pad which boasts a swimming pool, gym and two games rooms.He needed consent from the local council for the “engineering operation” and faced a possible red card over the unauthorised development.His next-door neighbour objected, citing loss of privacy and overlooking, but the council have now granted retrospective permission for the landscape alterations.In his ruling, a planning officer said: “Despite the change in levels in this part of the garden, it is considered that the works do not significantly alter the overall land levels of the application site.read more on football”Moreover, the works are located in the rear garden and would not be visible from the street scene and are therefore acceptable.”The proposed development is considered in terms of scale, form, bulk, height, massing, spacing and design, and there would be no adverse impact on the character of the area or the visual amenities of the street scene as a result of the proposals.”Chilwell wants to plant new laurel and yew hedges to provide screening with further soft planting in grey, green and purple – but no blue.He also wants to splash out on a stone-stepped pool seating area with glass balustrade, and new paving at his home near Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.Most read in FootballDocuments submitted as part of the planning application reveal that building work on the sunken fire pit and basketball court started in April but has not yet been completed.Ben Chilwell’s Unauthorized Home Renovations Spark DisputeIn a letter objecting, the neighbour wrote: “This increase in height means someone in this section of the garden or on the firepit walkway now has direct line of sight into our garden, terrace and kitchen area.”This is a loss of amenity and the new levels mean we are now overlooked.”We are keen to retain the privacy and amenity of our home, terrace and garden and whilst we would prefer the new ground levels not to be so high we appreciate that some mitigation through screening foliage has now been proposed.”Ben Chilwell ‘thrown career lifeline’BY Tony RobertsonBEN Chilwell has been thrown a career lifeline after being offered a Chelsea escape route, reports suggest.The 27-year-old has effectively been frozen out of Chelsea’s squad by new boss Enzo Maresca after being told he does not feature in the manager’s plans.Chilwell, who signed for the club for £45million from Leicester in 2020 and was named vice-captain last season, is down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.Marc Cucurella and new signing Renato Veiga are both ahead of him for the left-back slot.Chilwell had been joined in the Blues “bomb squad” by Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah, who both managed to secure loan deals away from the club on deadline day.However, the 21-cap England international was unable to secure a transfer despite reported interest from Brentford and Manchester United, though the latter are understood to have never initiated talks.Instead, Chilwell, who is earning £200,000-a-week with three years to run on his deal, will have to secure a transfer overseas if he is to earn playing minutes this season.According to GiveMeSport, Chilwell is thought to be content at Stamford Bridge and will not move unless the right move presents itself.The Dutch and Portuguese transfer windows both shut tonight, as well as the transfer window for Saudi Arabia, although it’s understood Chilwell is not keen on a move to the Middle East.One window that will remain open for a while longer is the Turkish Super Lig window, which does not close until September 13. More

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      £60m Prem star sued by ‘underpaid’ ex-assistant who was ‘treated like dogsbody, verbally abused & unfairly sacked’

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      PREM star Richarlison is facing legal action from a personal assistant who says he worked around the clock for him before being sacked without warning.The £60million Spurs and Brazil striker is being taken to a tribunal by Reginaldo Pereira, who says he was axed without notice in the cinema room of the player’s mansion.Prem star Richarlison is facing legal action from personal assistant Reginaldo PereiraMr Pereira says he was left physically and emotionally broken by his dismissal. He found himself unemployed and he split from his wife.A source said: “He feels like he was used as a dogsbody, who worked around the clock, and then was unfairly dumped.”Brazilian Mr Pereira, 60, was at Richarlison’s side as he moved from his home country to Watford, then Everton and when he joined Tottenham in 2022.Read More on SportBut he claims the £130,000-a-week star — currently injured and unlikely to play in tomorrow’s North London derby — did not register him, paid his £500-a-week wages straight into his account and did not grant him holidaysIn papers seen by The Sun, Mr Pereira, who is claiming £95,000 for unfair dismissal, says: “I faced long working hours, excessive demands and verbal abuse — especially from Antonio Marcos de Andrade, Richarlison’s father.”He says he was loaded with extra responsibilities including looking after the player’s pets.His sacking in the cinema of the star’s lavish home in Barnet reportedly came after he changed agents.Most read in FootballMr Pereira said: “After being dismissed I had to seek medical treatment to deal with the negative impacts of this toxic environment. “My wife filed for divorce. I’m emotionally shaken and unemployed.”Richarlison in tears on Brazil bench after missing a sitter and getting subbed off in 5-1 win over BoliviaA preliminary hearing is set to take place in Watford next month.Richarlison’s spokesman said: “The claims are denied but we will be making no further comment in respect of these proceedings.”The Brazilian international, pictured with Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, denies the claims More