The Football Association has taken stringent action against several clubs found to have violated Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Everton is currently at risk of a 12-point deduction as a consequence. While decisions regarding Manchester City and Chelsea’s alleged FFP breaches are still pending, the question remains whether they will face a fate similar to that of Pontypridd United.
The top-flight Welsh side is facing severe penalties, including a huge reduction in points, after an investigation by the Football Association of Wales into alleged breaches of professional contracts.
Welsh club Pontypridd United facing potential 141-point deduction
Pontypridd United, a top-flight Welsh football club, has been given a remarkable 141-point deduction for player contract breaches. However, they will only lose six points this season.
Pontypridd United, currently struggling in the Cymru Premier, faced 18 charges from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) related to player contract breaches. The FAW has announced a punishment of a 141-point deduction. However, only six points will be deducted from their current season total, with the remaining 135 points suspended until the end of the next campaign.
The statement from the FA reads: “An investigation by the Football Association of Wales into the contractual status of players at Pontypridd United was undertaken following complaints made by players of alleged breaches of their professional contracts.”
Fans speculate Manchester City’s punishment over 100 charges
A few months ago, the Premier League charged Manchester City with over 100 breaches of various financial rules and regulations. The charges encompass issues such as self-sponsorship income and player and manager remuneration, as well as violations of Premier League and UEFA profit and sustainability rules. The alleged breaches cover a period from the 2009–10 season to the 2017–18 season.
It took the Premier League about 4 years to arrive at this conclusion; hence, they are convinced of Manchester City’s impropriety. Their effort was indeed worthwhile, as they do not have a statute of limitation for such offences, unlike UEFA.
Fans believe that Manchester City will influence the tribunal’s decision and not be punished as much as the Welsh club, Pontypridd. A fan on X stated categorically that Manchester City will never get up to Welsh club Pontypridd’s punishment, despite the fact that they have committed more breaches.
A Chelsea supporter also stated that: “I’m not holding out hope for any actual punishments, whatever may be announced in due course, but perhaps this is a good reminder to Chelsea to double-check all our books as we spend at record (declared) amounts in the transfer market and look to increase our revenue to help pay for all that.”
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