Premier League Controversy

Manchester City's involvement with alleged illegal activities surrounding the financial side of the club has sparked several media outbreaks globally. It is strongly rumoured with much evidence that they have breached 115 individual financial fair play rules set by the Premier League. These include instances such as not specifying the confirmed prices of signings, or buying players from clubs with the same owner (which would mean they would not have to pay). Some argue that these are just examples of finding loopholes in the rules, however it is unclear to the extent of these breaches and specific details which may have not been released to the public. The court hearing of these breaches is expected to take place in September, and a decision will be made on the outcome in early 2025. This will come with formal communication, however the date on this is yet to be known. Pep Guardiola speaks in a press conference on the trial starting soon: "I'm happy that they start soon, and hopefully finish soon... can't wait for that. For the benefit of all of us, especially the club, but for all the other Premier League clubs, all the people that don't wait for the sentence... I wish, from the deepest of my heart, to go to the trial, the independent panel, I'll say again, an INDEPENDENT panel; as soon as possible release what will happen and we will accept like always what we have done. We've been three or four years talking about that so... That's good that we know what's going to happen, we will accept it, and focus on... I can give you all the calendar, it's in my mind".

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The Premier League revealed in May that 'Wolves have formally submitted a resolution to the Premier League to trigger a vote at the league's AGM in June, on the removal of VAR from the start of the 2024/25 season'. They go on to reveal a letter sent by Wolverhampton Wanderers surrounding the matter. This included a list of 'negative consequences' that VAR has had, according to the club. Examples include an impact on goal celebration and the spontaneous passion that makes football special. Frustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communication. A more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAR. These are just three examples out of the nine that Wolves included in their letter. Indeed, this did lead to a vote amongst all 20 Premier League clubs on the 6th June; however this ended with Wolves being the only club in favour of scrapping VAR- and lost the vote 19-1.